Abstract

Wei Cheng is one of the classics written by Qian Zhongshu and the protagonist in the novel is Fang Hung-chien. There are a lot of metaphors and similes. Qian Zhongshu used those metaphors and similes to portray characters vividly and help readers understand feelings of being trapped. So, it means a lot if translators appropriately reproduce or reformulate metaphors and similes in Wei Cheng. Its English version, Fortress Besieged, translated by Nathan K.Mao and Jeanne Kelly has drawn attention worldwide and got both praise and criticism. 

This paper aims at comparing Wei Cheng and its English version Fortress Besieged in terms of communicative effect by applying the theory of relevance in the translation of similes and metaphors. This paper begins with the significance of studying the translation of Wei Cheng; next it makes a survey of current research situation; and then it explains by example how the relevance theory can be used to explain translation practice; at last the paper ends with the conclusion that Jeanne Kelly and Nathan K. Mao have successfully maintained the original’s relevance,  relevance theory contributes its share to translation practice and can solve some problems caused by different contextual assumptions.

Key Words:  Translation     Wei Cheng     Relevance

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Brief Introduction to Wei Cheng-1

1.2 Significance of the Research-2

1.3 Structure of the Paper-3

Chapter Two Literature Review-4

Chapter Three Theoretical Framework-6

3.1 Relevance Theory and its Development-6

3.2.1 Studies Overseas-8

3.2.2 Studies in China-8

3.3 Limitations of Current Studies-9

Chapter Four Results and Analysis-10

Chapter Five Conclusion-17

References-20