A Comparative Study Of The Allusions In The Two English Versions Of Liao Zhai Zhi Yi

As one of the most representative works in the Chinese classics,Liao Zhai Zhi Yi once drew the attention of many translators.Up to date,the work has 17 English versions,some of which are popular with western readers.Many studies have been carried out on Liao Zhai Zhi Yi,including the translation of the work.Among the various studies on Liao Zhai Zhi Yi,different perspectives have been employed such as translators’ cultural identity,the Skopos theory and the like.Unfortunately,few scholars attempted to study the translation of allusions in the work from the perspective of intertextuality.In fact,theories about intertextuality have been widely applied to translation studies.Hatim and Mason have proposed a systematic framework to apply intertextuality to translation studies.One of the most outstanding features of the work is its frequent use of allusions,which are specially referred to as dian gu(典故)in Chinese.These allusions are pithy in form but deep in meaning.The ample cultural connotations of them have brought great difficulties to translators.But among the studies on the translation of the work,little attention has been paid to this unique linguistic feature.Therefore,this research attempts to study the translation of the allusions in Liao Zhai Zhi Yi based on the three intertextual aspects proposed by Hatim and Mason,namely,mediation,intertextual space and procedural priorities of translation.The translated allusions in Giles’and Minford’s English versions will be compared to find out their differences in the three intertextual aspects.Based on the analysis,some related suggestions can be given to the translation of allusions.Giles’and Minford’s translated versions are chosen mainly because both of the two versions have exerted wide influence on the western readers,especially Giles’one which has been acknowledged as the most classic translated version.Besides,while Giles’version has witnessed abundant studies on it,few studies have focused on Minford’s one.The research also hopes to make a little contribution to the studies on the translated version of Minford’s.