A Study On C-E Translation Of Death's End From The Perspective Of Chesterman's Translation Norms

Death's End is the last work of the trilogy written by Liu Cixin,a Chinese scientific fiction writer.It mainly tells about information exchange,life and death of human civilization and three-body civilization on earth,and the rise and fall of two civilizations in the universe.This novel is translated by Ken Liu,an Chinese American science fiction writer and translator who has translated Three-Body Problem before.The English translation has been well-received since its publishing.In 2017,it won the Track Award for Best Novel in Science Fiction.In 2018,it helped Liu Cixin win the Clarke Award for Imagination in Service to Society.This thesis takes the English version of Liu Cixin's Death's End as an example.Under the guidance of Chesterman's Translation Norms,it adopts a descriptive approach,mainly analyzes the correspondence between the original text and the translation,explores the translator's translation strategies when dealing with certain translation problems,and probes into the factors behind these strategies,known as,translation norms.This perspective explores the reasons why Ken Liu's translation is widely accepted by target language readers.It is concluded in the study that translation norms run through the translation process after comparing the original text and the translation,and looking up interview records of Ken Liu,as well as the sales volume,ratings,and book reviews of the translated version on the website.In terms of expectancy norms,Ken Liu chooses Death's End as the translated text,for he fully takes into account the current expectations of English readers for the type of science fiction novels.His translation employs more domesticating translation strategy,which can account for meeting the expectations of target language readers whether from the aspect of grammaticality,acceptability,or appropriateness.Secondly,in terms of accountability norm,the translation is responsible to all parties involved in the translation,but gives the greatest loyalty to the target readers.Then,in terms of communication norm,the translator acts as a bridge between the target readers and the original text.When dealing with culturally loaded words,sci-fi fictional words,and footnotes of the original author,he uses a variety of translation methods such as creative translation,addition and imitation.Finally,in terms of relation norm,the translation's consistency with the original text and a variety of rhetorical devices make the translation be affected by similar styles and effects.Ken Liu's translation strategies and methods have played an exemplary role in the translation of contemporary Chinese literature;from the perspective of Chesterman's translation norms,there is noresearch on the English version of Death's End.The gap also proves that the theory of translation norms provides a strong theoretical basis for interpreting translator behavior and accepting translations,and provides a positive reference for future translation literature.