Abstract:

     The Old Man and the Sea is a masterpiece of Ernest Hemingway which brought him numerous reputation including the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Pulitzer Prize. It left an indelible mark and laid Hemingway prominent position in the world literature and was also considered the most important works of him.

The Old Man and the Sea was published in 1952, made big sensation over the world. This short story was then translated to many countries. In 1954, Eileen Chang, the outstanding female writer of China translated it into Chinese, it was also the first time The Old Man and the Sea was translated in Chinese. But because of Cultural Revolution, it didn’t bring big influence to mainland of China. Until 1987, Chinese translator WuLao re-translated The Old Man and the Sea. This edition was read most. In 1960s, because of political reason, or some other reasons, Chinese reader knew little about American culture. It caused Challenge to translators.

First, this thesis analyze Hemingway’s life story and his writing style of The Old Man and the Sea. Then it also analyze the life story of Eileen Chang and how her writer identity influences her translation. Finally, this thesis compares Wu Lao and Eileen Chang’s translation of The Old Man and the Sea in words and sentences’ degree from the reception theory perspective to find out how readers accept it and different from the writer’s original meaning.

This thesis believes that the English translation of this work should be able to convey the author’s own intentions and accurately reappear the author’s writing style from the reception theory perspective. After translators pre-understand the works, they should stand on a more objective perspective rather than add their emotions and subject understanding. Finally in cross-cultural things should be annotated so that readers can understand them better.

Key Words: The Old Man and the Sea, Reception Theory, Hemingway, Wu Lao, Eileen Chang

Content

摘要：

Abstract:

1.-Introduction-6

2.-Literature Review-6

2.1.-Development of Reception Theory-6

2.2.-Characteristics of Reception Theory-7

3.-Case Study-7

3.1.-Ernest Hemingway and The Old Man and the Sea-7

3.2.-Two Chinese Translators-10

3.2.1.-Introduction to Eileen Chang-10

3.2.2.-Introduction to Wu Lao-12

3.2.3.-The Features for Chinese Reader’s Reception-12

3.3.-Comparative Study-13

4.-Conclusion-19

Bibliography-21

Acknowledgements-22