An Analysis Of The Application Of Translation Strategies In Xu Yuanchong's Translation Of Li Bai's Poems

Xu Yuanchong is one of the most outstanding contemporary translators of China. He has been devoted to translation for over60years with more than60works of translation. Besides his practice achievement, he has also put forward his own translation theory—"Art of beautification and creation of the best as in rivalry". Above all, his contribution lies in introducing Chinese classics and poetry to the world. His works range from The Book of Songs to Mao Zengdong's poetry with high quality and distinctive features, carrying forward Chinese culture as well as developing translated literature of China. Focusing on one of Xu's translation works-Li Bai's poems, the thesis attempts to analyze his translation strategies and methods in purpose of learning from his skills and thus offering some guidance to improve translators'practice.On the basis of Venuti's translation theory, by analyzing the works from Selected Poems of Li Bai (in the series of books-Library of Chinese Classics), the author aims to find out Xu's major translation strategy, the specific methods involved in foreignization and domestication, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each method.There are five chapters altogether:The first chapter is introduction. It mainly explains the significance of the thesis, gives a brief summary of the studies on Xu Yuanchong including his practice and theory and at last clarifies the innovativeness of the thesis.The second chapter presents the literature review on foreignization and domestication, including the definitions, advantages and disadvantages of the two strategies, and the debate over them. Also, it points out the current context of China's translation.The third chapter analyzes the specific methods that Xu Yuanchong applies to foreignization and their benefits and shortcomings. First, it emphases the strategy of foreignization and then further discusses the three methods Xu uses-transliteration, literal translation and free translation.The forth chapter explores the specific methods that Xu Yuanchong employs in domestication-free translation and omission, together with the strength and weakness of each methods. The last part is conclusion. The thesis points out that when translating Li Bai's poems, Xu applies both domestication and foreignization with the former more involved in forms and the latter in contents. Meanwhile, the thesis states that such strategic inclination accords with the current context of China's translation, therefore it helps to transmit Chinese culture to the world, restrain cultural hegemony, and facilitate multicultural development around the world. In addition, Xu's translation techniques are worthy learning and imitating, though some of his translated works still need to be re-discussed.