Abstract：In recent years, more and more scholars have paid attention to the cultural default phenomenon in literary works. Cultural default is defined as the absence of relevant cultural background knowledge shared by the author and his intended readers. It is the natural result of the communication process. However, in cross-cultural communication, because the cognitive context of the source text writer and that of the target text readers are quite different, cultural default may often result in misreading or incoherent understanding. 

In the light of Relevance Theory, cultural default translation is based on the principles of optimal relevance and holds the translator’s responsibility for the removal of obstacles in comprehension caused by the differences in cultural background. The translator should endeavor to make his translation attain the goal that target text readers achieve best contextual effects with the least effort, and match the expectation of the target text readers with the intention of the source text writer. Under the guidance of Relevance Theory, this thesis tries to explore the feasibility of the theory in cultural default and translation compensation in the case of Goldblatt’s English version of The Garlic Ballads. And the purpose of this study is to provide some help for cultural default and translation compensation in the future.

Key words: Relevance Theory  cultural default  translation compensation  The Garlic Ballads

中文摘要：近年来，越来越多的学者注意到文学作品中的文化缺省现象。文化缺省是作者在与其意向读者交流时对双方共有的相关文化背景知识的省略，它是交际过程的自然结果。然而在跨文化交际中，由于原文作者和译文读者的认知语境不同，文化缺省很可能导致误读或理解障碍。

在关联理论框架下，文化缺省翻译以最佳关联为参照，译者担任弥补文化背景差异带来的理解障碍的角色，努力使译文做到让译文读者以最少的认知来获得最佳的语境效果，使译文读者的阅读期待和原文作者的写作意图相吻合。本文将以关联理论为指导，以葛浩文译本《天堂蒜薹之歌》为例，探讨该理论在文化缺省与翻译补偿中的可行性，旨在为今后的研究提供一些帮助。

关键词：关联理论；文化缺省；翻译补偿；《天堂蒜薹之歌》

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background and Significance of the Study-1

1.2 Structure of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Introduction to Relevance Theory-3

2.2 Review of Cultural Default and Translation Compensation-3

2.2.1 Previous Studies on Cultural Default and Translation Compensation Abroad-3

2.2.2 Previous Studies on Cultural Default and Translation Compensation at Home-4

Chapter Three Cultural Default and Translation Compensation in The Garlic Ballads from the Perspective of Relevance Theory-5

3.1 Classification of Cultural Default in Tian Tang Suan Tai Zhi Ge-5

3.1.1 Social Cultural Default-5

3.1.2 Religious Cultural Default-6

3.1.3 Political Cultural Default-6

3.2 Translation Compensation Methods for Cultural Default in The Garlic Ballads-7

3.2.1 Literal Translation-7

3.2.2 Literal Translation with Explanation-8

3.2.3 Free Translation-10

3.2.4 Adaptation-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-13

4.1 Contribution of the Study-13

4.2 Limitation of the Study-13

References-14