Thick Translation In Nienhauser's English Version Of Shiji

Shiji is an excellent Chinese historical work.Nienhauser and his collaborators'English version of Shiji presents detailed interpretations over abundant linguistic and cultural elements contained in this classic with the auxiliary tools such as footnotes.This collaborative rendition which focuses on the transmission of an authentic foreign culture has fully demonstrated the characteristics of "thick translation"."Thick translation" is initially proposed and defined by the African-American philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah as a translation which creates a rich linguistic and cultural context through annotations and accompanying glosses to show respect for another culture.As it develops,manifestations of thick translation are further enriched.It is not only manifested in the external obvious forms,but usually in the lines of the text.Besides,thick translation is also regarded as an interpretive activity where the microscopic differences of a foreign culture are emphasized,the subject position of translators is displayed and the native's viewpoint is considered as much as possible.Thick translation is indeed significant for the English translation of Chinese classics containing rich cultural elements.This study on the thick translation in the eighth volume of Nienhauser's English version of Shiji is undertaken with a qualitative methodology.The research shows:(1)Manifestations of thick translation vary with different texts.In this volume,thick translation before the annotated text includes the addition of acknowledgements,introduction,instruction for using this book,guide for weights and measures and list of abbreviations,offering target readers a macroscopic view on this rendition.Thick translation in the annotated text includes supply of instruction for referring to Shiji text,adjustment on the organization of Shiji text,compensation of textual implications,also the addition of footnotes and the translator's notes,contributing to the target readers' close reading of the translated Shiji text.Thick translation after the annotated text includes the addition of a list of frequently mentioned commentators,biographical sketches of Shiji scholars,selected recent studies of Shiji and the index,providing readers convenience for further consultations and quick location of information.(2)Compensation of textual implications is one of the best manifestations of Nienhauser's thick translation,containing grammatical compensation,semantic compensation and contextual compensation.By means of overt parentheses and square brackets,the translators fully present linguistic features and implied meanings of Shiji text and establish a coherent cognitive context for the target readers.(3)2 206 footnotes and 16 Translator's Notes constitute the best as well as the most obvious embodiment of Nienhauser's thick translation,involving introductory notes,extensive notes,exploratory notes,critical notes and combinative notes.While achieving thick translation through footnotes and the translator's notes,the translators have critically integrated domestic and foreign achievements on Shiji instead of being limited to the natives' viewpoints,which guarantees the accuracy and authority of this translation.In making these notes,the translators have employed in-text proof,extra-text proof,historical proof and author-text proof,which enhances the objectiveness and rationale of interpretations.Moreover,when the preservation of original flavors would not impede the readers' basic understanding of the text,the translators adopt literal translation or transliteration plus Chinese characters in the text and make necessary clarifications in the footnotes,showing their respect for a foreign culture.In other cases,free translation or adaptation is employed in the text and a more literal interpretation is presented in the footnotes to promote the readability and acceptability of this translation.(4)Nienhauser's thick translation is mainly influenced by text type,linguistic differences,cultural reasons,purposes of translation,identity of translators,and social factors.(5)The main values of Nienhauser's thick translation lie in its manifestation of foreign elements,addition of scholarly values,and expansion of readers who are able to know an authentic China.The main limitations are the consumption of more time and energy as well as the relatively subjective interpretations.It is expected that this thesis could enrich the studies on Nienhauser's collaborative translation of Shiji to some degree and that Nienhauser's application of thick translation,factors influencing his thick translation and the main values and limitations of his thick translation explored in this thesis could provide reference for the English translation of Chinese classics alike.