3.3 Hermeneutics and Translator’s Subjectivity...11

Chapter Ⅳ Xu Yuanchong’s Subjectivity Reflected on Translation of Li Qingzhao’s Ci-poems......12

4.1 Introduction of Li Qingzhao and Her Ci-poems12

4.2Xu Yuanchong’s Subjectivity Manifested in His Translation of Li Qingzhao’s Ci-poems..15

4.2.1 Selection of Original Text...15

4.2.2 Comprehension of Words....16

4.2.3 Translation of Reduplicated Words.18

Chapter Ⅴ Conclusion...22

5.1 Findings of the Research22

5.2 Limitations of the Research .......23

5.3 Prospect for Future Study.......................................................................................23

References....24

On Xu Yuanchong’s Translation of Ci-poems by Li Qingzhao from the Perspective of Translator’s Subjectivity

Chapter Ⅰ  Introduction

1.1 Background of Research 

In the long history of translation activities, the translation studies before 1970s gave priority to source text on the lexical level, the “source-orientation” requires translators, the most dynamic factor involved in the translation activities, to be “invisible men” in order to achieve equivalence and faithfulness. While since 1970s, when “cultural turn” was put forward by Susan Bassnett and Andre Lefevere in their memoir Translation, history and culture for the first time, more attention is paid to the cultural factors in the process of translation. Accordingly, the status of translator has been gradually enhanced and the space of translation studies has been expanded. Since then, discussions and studies on translator’s subjectivity are stirring waves all over the world.

It is universally acknowledged that Xu Yuanchong makes tremendous contributions not only to China but also the whole world in the field of classical Chinese poetry translations. As a distinguished translator and translation theorist, he commits himself to translation career for more than 60 years and has been proclaimed to be the only expert in the world who can translate Chinese poetry into English and French rhyme. Based on the theories of predecessors and integrated theories with his personal translation practice, he develops his unique and practical translation theories. He advocates that translators should bring their creativity into full play in the process of translation. With all his translation theories and works considered, we can draw a conclusion that translator’s subjectivity is well manifested in Xu Yuanchong’s theories and practices. 

1.2 Purpose of Research

This research aims to enhance receptors’ understanding of the nature of translator’s subjectivity and convey a message that translator is the subject of translation activities, translator’s subjectivity is manifested during the process of translation and the status of translator should be highlighted. Besides, by analyzing the manifestation of translator’s subjectivity in Xu Yuanchong’s translation of Li Qingzhao’s Ci-poems, this thesis aims at providing new perspective and new methods for translation studies and playing an instructive role in translation studies and discipline construction in terms of methodology.

1.3 Structure of the Thesis

This thesis is pided into five chapters. 

Chapter one presents an introduction to my research, including background of my research, aim of my research and the structure of the whole thesis.

Chapter two is literature review, which firstly explains the definition of translator’s subjectivity and then states previous studies of translator’s subjectivity both at home and abroad. The thesis also explains studies on Xu Yuanchong’s translation theories on translator’s subjectivity at the end of this chapter.