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Translating Eroticism in Literature

Author: JinManQing
Tutor: ChenGang
School: Zhejiang University
Course: English Language and Literature
Keywords: translation eroticism ideology patronage culture aesthetic effect stylistic equivalence
CLC: I046
Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2006
Downloads: 251
Quote: 1
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Abstract

Eroticism in literature has exposed to us, in a way of its own, a wonderland of mysterious sensual pleasure. Yet language barriers have seriously hindered one nation’s exquisite works of art described as exotic flowers in its cultural wealth from being enjoyed and appreciated by readers of other nations. That is why translation has done its wonderful job to make the literary flavor, which is originally tasted by the native language speakers, easily savored by the entire outside world. Translation studies in this regard, either principles or strategies, are worthy of a good discussion, for the sake of both the eager readers and the overall flourishing of the translation field. This thesis, therefore, aims at an in-depth ideological exploration into the nature of translating literary eroticism, with the Chinese translation of D. H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover as a case study all the way through. It probes into the subject matter mainly in three respects, i.e. the power of patronage, cultural bondage and aesthetics, each backed up with an abundance of theoretical analysis and relevant examples to make the argumentation well-grounded and illuminating.The thesis falls into six chapters. An overview of the research is presented in the beginning chapter, where research subject, research purpose, research methodology and a framework of the whole thesis are elucidated. Chapter 2, as a basis for further discussion, gives a general introduction to the original text, i.e. Lady Chatterley’s Lover, including its main idea, the social context in relation to its publication history, and its fate in China. Chapter 3 is devoted to an in-depth understanding of the word "ideology" both as a social term and as a shaping force in translation, particularly when it comes to the translation of literary eroticism. Still, the power of patronage in the shaping of a translation is explained afterwards, before it goes on to Chapter 4, which sheds light on the cultural bondage involved in translating eroticism, and where the notion of "translation as violence" is subverted and the translator is redefined as a cultural mediator. Chapter 5 deals with the role aesthetics plays in translation. Stylisticequivalence is advocated in this chapter to the degree that equivalent aesthetic effect is realized on the target readers. The last chapter, like the coda to a symphony, comes out with a retrospect of what has been covered in the previous chapters and a prospect of what is hopefully to be carried on in the future.Though Translation Studies today has already bloomed into a full-grown stage when different schools, diverse theories and various works have sprung up like mushrooms in this house, there are, nevertheless, some unembellished comers waiting for exploration. Translation of eroticism in literature, determined by the sensitive nature of sex, has rarely been studied in any serious manner;and ideology, an umbrella term indeed, is far from being fully studied in the translation field, either. Putting the two together, this thesis is to bridge that gap and strike up a new conversation in the translation field, taking sex out of the secret comer to bring it into the spotlight with ideology in a central position. It is also to serve as a reference guide to this particular kind of translation in real practice.

Translating Eroticism in Literature

Abstract

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