A Contrastive Study On Two Chinese Versions Of King Lear From The Perspective Of Historical View On Translation

As a great dramatist in history, Shakespeare is occupied with a unique position in theworld literature. Throughout his life, he not only wrote quite a few excellent poems but alsocreated thirty-seven immortal plays which embraced a wide range of subjects and also showedcomplex personalities and stories. Among his plays, King Lear, as the summit of tragedies,not only shows different characters images and personalities wonderfully, but also sparkleswith Shakespeare high language gift and his understanding and excavation of the humannature. So far this play has transcended national and language barriers and become favoritefor readers across the world. In China, more than ten versions for it have been produced, inwhich Liang Shiqiu s and Zhu Shenghao s versions attract wide concerns because they are theones first conducting systematic translation with some achievements.This thesis conducts a contrastive analysis on their Chinese versions of Shakespeare sKing Lear from the perspective of historical view on translation proposed by A.Lilova. First,this theory is drawn forth from the perspectives of the social origin and social history and itsrationality is further explained from translation s modernity, inheritance and intersectionality.Then the thesis mainly introduces the social and historical background of Shakespeare and hiswork King Lear, Zhu Shenghao and his translation, Liang Shiqiu and his translation and theirrespective relationship. After that, a concrete contrastive study on two Chinese versions ofKing Lear is carried on from three characteristics contained in the historical view ontranslation. Translation modernity is mainly manifested on the translation strategy applied bytranslators: Liang tends to apply the literal translation while Zhu tends to apply the freetranslation; translation inheritance is mainly shown on the translation thoughts translatorsobey: Liang obeys the faithful thought of translation while Zhu pursues the poetic charm inhis translation; translation intersectionality on the language feature and themes expressed by translators: Liang expresses his yearning for Western Humanism by his simple and elegantlanguage and he expects to promote the national learning and exchanging by transmittingWestern culture while Zhu presents his hatred for the society at that time and his sympathy topeople by his distinctive language.Based on the objective description of the different presentation of King Lear in Chinese,the thesis draws the conclusion that different versions of the same original play are naturaland acceptable. The difference can be well explained from the historical point of view, whichanswers the needs of a certain period of history and society; and those would influencegreatly the translators. However, it is not denied that translators personal inclinations,including their education background and living circumstance will also affect their attitudetoward the original works and the choice of translation strategies. It is definitely affirmativethat the different versions contribute to Shakespeare s classic literature s revelation fortranslation research in different periods. Translators constant efforts and study infuse theoriginal text with new life and value, which, in return, better explains the principles of thehistorical point of view on translation proposed by A.Lilova.