Study On The Retranslation Of Luotuo Xiangzi In France

Translations live in symbiosis with time.Retranslations relate not only with the text,but also with its time.In translation studies,the research for retranslation can be considered as a subject that links most closely the translational theory with its time background.If we can say that translations have opened a space of cultural exchange in foreign lands for the source text,the phenomenon of retranslations extends the longevity of this space.Translations of classical literary works remain the hot spot in the studies of the translation and reception of Chinese literature in overseas.With the increasing cultural communication between France and China,under the context of Chinese "stepping-out" cultural strategy,the translation and reception of the literature of two countries stay still in an imbalanced state.With a look at the translation of Chinese modern literary creations,rarely have they been retranslated in France,while Luotuo Xiangzi remains one of the exceptions.Since 1947,we have seen four translations of Luotuo Xiangzi,including tree translations in France and one in China:translation according to that of Evan King(1945),one of Francois Cheng based on its original text and its reedited version in 1990,which is collaborated with his daughter Anne Cheng,plus,in 1985,translation of sinologist Denise Ly-lebreton published by Foreign Language Publishing House in Beijing.Compared with dozens of translations of French literary works in China,the versions of Luotuo Xiangzi are not of a great quantity,however,the fact that it was retranslated is worth of deep reflections.This thesis takes all four translations of Luotuo Xiangzi as the object of research,combining textual and historical analyses and figuring the differences between translations.We take a look at the phenomenon of retranslations from texts,translators,readers and publications to discover the main reasons of retranslations of this novel in France.Meanwhile,our thesis points out the difficulties met by translators and the effects of their translative concepts and objects in this process and focuses more attention on the particular situation of Chinese literature in certain culture context to explore appropriate translation methods to propel Chinses literature researches and diffusion in overseas.Our thesis is composed of three parts:introduction,main text and conclusion.The main text is divided into three chapters:The first chapter aims at clarify the process of translation of Luotuo Xiangzi in France.We started with an introduction of the literary statue of Lao She in China,his creation of the novel and his modifications during the Cultural Revolution.Based on this,we emphasize on stating the apparitions and actual situations of each translation,different types of retranslations and the relations between translations.The second chapter tries seeking out the reasons from within the text.The emergence of translation is firstly due to the values shown in its source text.Humanism and realism with great humor presented in Luotuo Xiangzi are always welcomed among foreign readers.The exoticism in the novel is an attraction for them.Then,we analyze the reasons for retranslations based on forms and contents of the translations,including different ways of expressions and comprehensions,relying on abundant examples in the texts.At the end of the chapter,we discuss the pursue of translators in translation.The third chapter develops its research from the aspects of reception context,reader's reception and the role of publication.The appearance of the translations of Luotuo Xiangzi is not a product off its time.New translations of works are often related to cultural communications between countries.From voluntary choices made by France before the founding of P.R.C.,to the increasing literary translations and receptions between two countries afterwards,time does count in translations.On the other hand,the reception of translation affects the appearance of retranslation as well.The evaluations in the ability of French readers to accept and appreciate Chinese literature also push retranslations.Publishing houses promote retractions too;meanwhile,like other countries,the efforts of Chinese government for introducing its culture contribute to retranslations.As Berman put it," translation as a translation space" extends the life of the source text at abroad.To find out the reasons for translations of Luotuo Xiangzi,we compare all the translations and analyze the factors within and out of texts.We hope that our dissertation can provide sequences of ideas on the research of retranslation and better ways of difusion for Chinese literature in France.