Abstract

Kuang Ren Ri Ji is one of the earliest vernacular novels in modern Chinese literature and has a profound influence in many aspects. Many researchers choose to study the English versions of it on its theme or its style as a vernacular novel, but few choose to study from the perspective of the point of view in the narration, which is a highlight in this novel. The point of view of a novel can be seen as an essential factor of the development of the narrative. A proper translation of the point of view in the text enables the novel to be easily understood by westerners. Therefore, this study aims to explore the effectiveness of the translation strategies concerning point of view in the two English versions of Kuang Ren Ri Ji, and provide some practical suggestions for other translators to consider in transferring the point of view in other similar cases. 

This study will be based on two English versions: the translation by Yang Xian Yi and Gladys Yang (1956) and Lyell’s translation (1990), which have both been highly commended among English readers. The first two chapters introduce the purpose, the background and the theoretical basis of this study. In the following three chapters, the analyses of the point of view and the translation strategies applied in Kuang Ren Ri Ji will be displayed. Based on Rimmon-Kenan’s theory of point of view, different translations strategies in the two English translations will be analyzed on the three dimensions of perceptual, psychological and ideological points of view. The point of view presented in the source text will be firstly analyzed, followed by a comparative study of the translation strategies in the two texts with the support of specific examples. Finally, comments and suggestions will be provided based on the analysis and comparison. 

Key words: translation strategy; point of view; Kuang Ren Ri Ji; comparative study

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter 1: Introduction-１

1.1 Background and the need of study-１

1.2 Purpose-２

1.3 Research questions-２

1.4 Methods-２

Chapter 2: Literature Review-４

2.1 The concept of “point of view”-４

2.2 Related studies-４

2.3 Key theory support: Rimmon-Kenan’s theory-６

Chapter 3: Perceptual facet of “point of view” and its translation strategies-９

3.1 Perceptual facet of “point of view” in the source text-９

3.1.1 Space-９

3.1.2 Time-１０

3.2 Translation strategies in two English versions: the perceptual facet of “point of view”-１０

Chapter 4: Psychological facet of “point of view” and its translation strategies-１４

4.1 Psychological facet of “point of view” in the source text-１４

4.1.1 The cognitive component-１４

4.1.2 The emotive component-１５

4.2 Translation strategies in two English versions: the psychological facet of “point of view”-１６

Chapter 5: Ideological facet of “point of view” and its translation strategies-２２

5.1 Ideological facet of “point of view” in the source text-２２

5.2 Translation strategies in two English versions: the ideological facet of “point of view”-２３

Chapter 6: Conclusion-２７

6.1 Main points of view in Kuang Ren Ri Ji-２７

6.2 Main translation strategies in two English versions-２８

6.3 Implications: More effective translation strategies-２８

Reference-３０

文献综述报告-３２