A Study On Functions Of Paratexts In Lin Yutang's English Version Six Chapters Of A Floating Life

Fushengliuji is a six-chapter autobiographical prose fiction by Shen Fu,a literatus in Qing Dynasty.Its language is natural and straightforward.It describes the two protagonists' sincere love,leisure hobbies,travel experiences and other doleful and rough experiences in their life.As a true reflection on people's life in Qing Dynasty,Fushengliuji is of high literary value and has been introduced to foreign countries.Of the four different translated versions so far,Lin Yutang's English version attracts more extensive attention and receives more studies.However,the author discovers that the majority of the current studies of Six Chapters of a Floating Life mainly focus on its translation strategies,the translator and target texts,but almost none of them undertakes the research from paratexts perspective.Based on Lin Yutang's translated version of Six Chapters of a Floating Life,this thesis employs paratext theory proposed by Gérard Genette,to analyze the function of paratexts in this translation.Combined with the contents and features of paratextual elements,the thesis intends to delve into the functions of paratexts and to figure out the impact of the paratexts on the target readers.On the basis of analyses in this thesis,the author discovers that Lin Yutang guides the target readers with paratexts during the process of translating.For instance,the preface presents high praise to the leading characters and introduces their characteristics.And moreover,the preface also illustrates the genre features of the original work.In addition,Lin Yutang offers footnotes for those indigestible expressions so as to provide target readers with relevant information which is absent from the original work.In addition to favorable effects on reducing the difficulty of the target readers,the supplementary information also enriches the contents of the book and contributes to spreading traditional Chinese culture,and to enhancing the interaction between the readers and translator.What also deserves attention to this translated work is that the abundant illustrations embody and supplement the contents of the translation by visual means,as well as greatly contributes to the readers' understanding.As supplements to the text,the paratexts also function as a vivid reflection on Lin Yutang's strong awareness to the target readers.He makes use of paratexts to deal with difficult language points,to make readers understand the translated text as much as possible and to introduce valuable background knowledge.Paratexts in this book not only influence the reader's acceptance,but also disseminate traditional Chinese culture.Hence,the paratexts serve to promote the cultural exchange between the East and the West.This thesis attempts to draw attention to the research perspectives by analyzing its functions and effects,so that the thesis can provide some guidance for promotion and translation studies of Chinese classic works.