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When the Thinker Becomes a Translator

Author: LiangBin
Tutor: SunYingChun
School: Shandong University
Course: English Language and Literature
Keywords: Yan Fu Translation Studies Yan Fu Translations Yan Fu’s Thought Xin-Da-Ya
CLC: H059
Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2011
Downloads: 47
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Abstract

Chinese translational practice has a long history of more than three thousand years and enjoyed a fruitful tradition1 with Buddhist scripture translation as the most important symbol. Chinese Translation Studies has achieved great progress since 1980s and studies on Yan Fu as translator and translation theorist has become salient in the past thirty years. Yan Fu, whose name is gradually floating "in the intellectual air of our age" 2, his translating practice represented by Eight Major Translations, his translation theory, a unique "unorthodox way" combining Xin-Da-Ya (translated as Faithfulness, Comprehensibility and Elegance) and Dazhi, and relevant comments and observations, form a sub-system entitled Yan Fu Translation Studies. Since two early critics, Wu Rulun (1840-1903) and Liang Qichao (1873-1929) and the first comprehensive evaluation of He Lin (1902-1991), Yan Fu Translation Studies has lasted over a century and is developing in various fields such as history, politics, sociology, and economics and so on. Now that Yan Fu Translation Studies has gained great progress and encountered predicament in the passing century, a retrospect of studies on Yan Fu is both necessary and inspiring.The thesis offers a historical review of Yan Fu Translation Studies in the framework of Chinese Translation Studies, clarifying three stages with specific key issues and latent problems. Next, it provides an observation of studies on Yan Fu’s thought, claiming an ideological turn in Yan Fu Translation Studies. Further, through displaying causation and content of Yan Fu’s thought, it describes influences of Yan Fu’s thought on his translational practice and reveals some consequences of Yan Fu’s translations. Finally, it makes an attempt to re-interpret Xin-Da-Ya in the light of Yan Fu’s thought, reflected in "Cheng" of Chinese traditional writing principles. The thesis presents background and significance of the research, states its scope and methodology. It also introduces a few terms, such as Yan Fu, Yan Fu Translations, Xin-Da-Ya and Yan Fu Translation Studies.The history of Yan Fu Translation Studies has gone through three stages. The first stage starts from the early 1900s to the 1930s, concentrating on the use of language and Xin (Faithfulness) of translation; the second stage contains two periods: from the 1950s to the 1970s and from the 1980s to the 1990s, both focusing on the principles or criteria of translation with the latter laying specific emphasis on Ya (Elegance); the third stage ranging from the end of the 1990s till the present time, is characterized with new perspectives obtained from foreign and domestic theories. Each stage, despite its progress, implies problems which lead to predicament and in need of due attention.Yan Fu Translation Studies has come to certain predicament, namely, how to face Yan Fu’s unfaithfulness in translation. It identifies Yan Fu’s unfaithfulness in translation and states major reasons, such as the choice of ancient language in Tongcheng Style, difficulty of the original content, limitation of the translator’s own knowledge and his deliberate alteration. It points out that the unfaithfulness has led to a new focus on Yan Fu’s thought in Yan Fu Translation Studies and sums up some progress.The relationship between Yan Fu’s thought and his translational practice is investigated closely. With reference to Yan Fu’s correspondences and writings, it reveals three factors which lead to the formation of Yan Fu’s thought:Chinese traditional background, western studies and specific socio-cultural background. Major thought of Yan Fu, expressed in four of his essays in 1895, contains self-strengthening (on the basis of Socio-Darwinism), "Sanmin" (enhancing people’s morality, improving their intelligence and physical strength), belief in gradual social progress and perseverance in Chinese traditional culture. Influences of Yan Fu’s thought on his translational practice are exhibited accordingly in four aspects:making Tian Yan Lun, translating Spencer, translating On Liberty and Qunxue Yiyan, and defense on the ancient language (Wenyan). Consequences of Yan Fu’s thought through translations are also demonstrated through statement or reaction of several historical figures, such as Hu Shi and Mao Zedong.Attempts are made to re-interpret Yan Fu’s Xin-Da-Ya in the light of his thought. It starts with a summary of previous studies, and interprets it within the scope of Yan Fu’s own diction. Three sources of Xin-Da-Ya are illustrated, namely, that in the expression of Zhi Qian (3rd century B.C) on Buddhist scripture translation, that in translating T. F. Tytler (1747-1813), and that in the tradition of Chinese writing principles of Cheng-Da-Wen (Sincerity, Comprehensibility and Elegance). The research holds the belief that Xin-Da-Ya is a combination of the three sources with "Cheng" as its core. Yan Fu’s own principle could thus be described as "sincerity being the basis of translation".When Yan Fu, the thinker, becomes a translator, his thought should be the first and the utmost important factor that any research should never ignore. This thesis places Yan Fu Translation Studies under the general development of Chinese Translation Studies and therefore displays their close relationship. It provides a large amount of materials in English. It expects to contribute to an ideological turn in Yan Fu Translation Studies which may lead to some breakthrough. Reinterpretation of Yan Fu’s Xin-Da-Ya is provided. Some limitations are pointed out, such as possible errors in sorting out a wide range of materials, arranging several major issues within limited time and length of the thesis, as well as in understanding and translating from ancient Chinese language (Kenyan). Some parts, such as the content of Yan Fu’s thought and Yan Fu’s "Cheng" needs further study. Yan Fu Translation Studies is a grand topic that requires time and effort and future prospects are optimistic. Moreover, with a sound basis on studies of Yan Fu’s thought, Yan Fu Translation Studies will develop in deeper and broader dimensions and so will Chinese Translation Studies.

When the Thinker Becomes a Translator

Abstract

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