Contrastive Study On The English Translations Of Luo Tuo Xiangzi From The Perspective Of Toury’s Norms Theory

Luo Tuo Xiangzi is a full-length novel of Lao She with the most distinctive feature.Most studies on English translations of Luo Tuo Xiangzi are based on the translations of Evan King’s and Shi Xiaojings.Shi Xiaojing is the first Chinese scholar to translate Luo Tuo Xiangzi.Howard Goldblatt,known as the English translator of Mo Yan’s awarded masterpiece,contributed the latest English translation of Luo Tuo Xiangzi.Since both of them have made a contribution to the translations of Luo Tuo Xiangzi,it is thus necessary and reasonable to analyze and compare the translations of Shi Xiaojing s and Howard Goldblatt’s from the perspective of Toury’s Norms Theory.Toury puts forward the translation norms theory based on a number of case studies.He believes translation is a cultural activity manipulated by norms.Because translation activity involves at least bilingual cultures and two sets of normative systems,the translator must make a choice between the source language culture norms and those of the target language.The results in the translation process will involve additions and omissions of language,the organization of discourse and performance of style.Translation norms are divided into three types:preliminary norms,initial norms and operational norms.Preliminary norms,also known as pre-translation norms,are the macro-factors constraining the translator before the translating behaviors.Initial norms refer to the fact whether translation is inclined to the source or the target language norms.While operational norms are the micro-factors that influence the translator in the process of his or her translation.With regard to Toury’s Norms Theory,this thesis summarizes the differences embodied in two translations of Luo Tuo Xiangzi by textual comparative studies.Then Toury’s Norms Theory is employed to explain the causes of these differences in detail.Discussed in three folds:external,stylistic,and internal,the thesis analyzes how the norms are embodied and operated in the translation process of the two translators.This research indicates that the cultural background of a historical period will have an impact on the translation target.An open cultural atmosphere will stimulate a variety of translations.In contrast,a closed cultural background will make translators discreetly choose to translate works that are consistent with the theme of the times.When processing words with Chinese characteristics,Shi Xiaojing chooses to obey to the target language norms to convey the implied meaning if failing to realize communicative goals and follow language styles.Therefore,Shi Xiaojing ’s translation is inclined to acceptability.However,Howard Goldblatt highlights that the translator should introduce these words with unique culture to Western readers in the hope of completing the cross-cultural communication smoothly.On translation of Luo Tuo Xiangzi,Howard Goldblatt makes the effort to retain the unique Chinese culture in the premise of assuring its readability so the style of his translation is inclined to adequacy.From the textual-linguistics perspective,the words of Shi Xiaojing s translation are much more colloquial,unable to reflect the vividness of the original language.Besides,the sentence structure tends to be rigid without much sense of rhythm.On the other hand,Howard Goldblatt s vocabulary is rich,varied and appreciative.He uses a large number of simple sentences and short sentences to approach the original language style.Although each of the three norms has its own priorities in the translation process,the translator should consider the three factors under the three norms comprehensively and adopt corresponding translation strategies.