Abstract

Both Western and Chinese translators have been concerned a lot about the strategy of foreignization, which was brought up by Venuti in 1995. This paper chooses To Live, the novel of the famous Chinese novelist Yu Hua, and analyzes the application of the foreignization in translating Chinese contemporary novels in detail.  

In To Live, many words and phrases are adopting literal translation, transliteration and annotation to articulate the Chinese language, culture and traditional customs. At the same time, the foreign language enriches itself a lot. Furthermore, with the development of China, the translation activities pay more attention to Chinese language, customs. The foreigners want to get known and learn more about China. To a great extent, it will resist cultural hegemony.

Above all, foreignization strategy is increasingly important. In combining with other methods, translators need to use foreignization more.

Key words: foreignization; contemporary novel translation; To Live

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Foreignization in translating studies-1

2.1 Researches abroad-2

2.2 Researches at home-3

3 Huozhe and its English version To Live-4

3.1 Yu Hua and Huozhe-4

3.1.1 Yu Hua-5

3.1.2 Huozhe and its contents and theme-5

3.2 Michael Berry and To Live-6

3.2.1 Michael Berry-7

3.2.2 Berry’s view on translation-7

4 Foreignization in To Live-8

4.1 Three types of foreignization-8

4.1.1 Literal translation-8

4.1.2 Transliteration-9

4.1.3 Annotation-9

4.2 Effects of foreignization on To Live-10

4.2.1 Conveyance of source cultural features-10

4.2.2 Conveyance of features in form-11

4.2.3 Conveyance of figures of speech-11

5 Four significances of the use of foreignization strategy-12

5.1 Expressing the nature of literature-12

5.2 Enriching the target language-13

5.3 Advocating Chinese culture-13

5.4 Resisting cultural hegemony-14

6 Conclusion-14

References-16