Abstract

As an important medium of cultural communication, foreign literary works are conducive to the development and prosperity of Chinese culture. Hence, the translation of literary works is very essential.

    Black Humor is one of the American schools of literature in the early 1960s, also the most representative school of literary creation during the period, which was popular for a time. In 1970s, slightly eclipsed, though, it still exerts far-reaching influences to American literature hitherto.

This essay selects the souvenir edition of Catch-22 issued by Nanjing Yilin publisher. Under the guidance of “faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance”, the article enumerates some of the classic character’s description and dialogues, having an in-depth analysis of this translating version. 

Through the analysis, it can help English learners better appreciate western culture by reading English novels, instead of merely being satisfied with the plots. It is also conducive to broaden reader’s knowledge, as to faithfully understand the essence of Black Humor novels, which can do good turns to improve the quality of novel translation and elevate the translating skills. At the meantime, we absorb the advanced foreign culture and promote cultural communication.

      [Key words] Black Humor; “faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance”; novel translation; Catch-22

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Literature Review-3

2.1 The Overview on Black Humor-3

2.2 The Overview on Translation Criteria-4

3 Yan Fu and his Theory of Translation-4

3.1 The Introduction of Yan Fu-4

3.2 Three principles-5

3.2.1 Faithfulness Rule-5

3.2.2 Expressiveness Rule-5

3.2.3 Elegance Rule-5

3.3 Relations of Three Principles-6

4 The Translation of Black Humor Novels-6

4.1 Artistic Features of Black Humor Novels-6

4.1.1 Irony-6

4.1.2 Repetition-7

4.1.3 Paradox-8

5 Strategies of Novel Translation-9

5.1 Literal Translation-10

5.1.1 Definition-10

5.1.2 Examples-10

5.2 Liberal Translation-11

5.2.1 Definition-11

5.2.2 Examples-11

5.3 Amplification-12

5.3.1 Definition-12

5.3.2 Examples-13

5.4 Omission-13

5.4.1 Definition-13

5.4.2 Examples-14

6 Conclusion-14

References-16