A Hermeneutic Study On Objectivity And Subjectivity In Translation

Traditional western translation theories attach much importance to the analysis of the text but overlook the translator's status. Chinese translation theories pay special attention to translator's introspection and self-experience of the text, yet the cognition of subjectivity of the translator is not scientific. Under the influence of Deconstructionism, contemporary translation theories come to realize the influence of the status of the translator on translation and begin to study the culture factors behind the translator. Studies on the translator's subjectivity have become a trend. Perspectives such as Deconstructionism and Philosophical Hermeneutics are introduced into translation studies to examine it.However, there is also an overemphasis on the translator's subjectivity, which leads to the denial of translation objectivity and results in a chaotic state of mind among theorists and practitioners. Considering this phenomenon, this thesis chooses Hermeneutics as both study objective and method. Relevant hermeneutic theories are first studied and critically assimilated, and then applied to analyze translator's subjectivity. Philosophical Hermeneutics neglects the fact that the object is the precondition for the interpreter to bring his or her subjective initiative into play. The thesis aims to prove that translation objectivity will not vanish because of the exertion of subjectivity, and then to study the instructive effect of the hermeneutic theories such as"Prejudice"and"Fusion of Horizons"on research of translator's subjectivity. In assimilation of Philosophical Hermeneutics, an analysis of the translation of The Da Vinci Code serves as the illustration. To better apply the theory of Fusion of Horizons and avoid being too vague and general, the thesis also does specific study on how to fuse the horizons of the text and the author in different situations.Hermeneutics has an intrinsic and close relationship with translation. At present, domestic translation studies are mainly confined to understanding of subjectivity, and the influence of the tradition and culture behind the translator. Influenced by the over-emphasis on translator's subjectivity and some irrational factors of Hermeneutics, some researchers deny the objectivity of text understanding and translation. Reference of Philosophical Hermeneutics on translation studies cannot be effectively conducted without a precondition of assurance of translation objectivity.We should be aware that although Gadamer fights against opposing the subject with the object, he actually sharply opposes natural science with spiritual science. He claims that the Prejudice is lawful, yet divides Prejudice into reasonable and unreasonable Prejudice. From this we can see that Gadamer has to admit that natural science and reason are also necessary to gain truth in spiritual science. The object is the precondition for the subject to exert his or her subject initiative. Subjectivity of the translator can never be properly brought into play without acknowledgement of the objectivity of translation activity.Admitting the objectivity of translation, concepts and theories in Philosophical Hermeneutics like"Prejudice"and"Fusion of Horizons"can be effectively applied to study on translator's subjectivity. Gadamer claims that meaning is the product of the dialogue between the reader and the text. In translation , the translator is the first reader. In the dialogue between the text and the translator, the two different horizons approach towards each other and begin to fuse under the translator's endeavor of exerting subjectivity. The author holds the view that Fusion of Horizons is a spontaneous process for common readers, yet as for the translator, it is a conscious activity in which the translator's subjectivity is brought into play. How to properly exert the translator's subjective initiative to fuse the horizons properly in translation? The thesis suggests that different circumstances of Fusion of Horizons should be specifically studied; and under each circumstance, Prejudice of the translator should be carefully differentiated and dealt with.This thesis is composed of five parts.An introduction is given to the background of the study, the significance of the paper, and the organization arranged.Chapter One gives a review of studies on objectivity and subjectivity in translation separately. Traditional and deconstructive theories on the matters in question are given and commented.Chapter Two introduces main theories of Hermeneutics. A brief development of Hermeneutics is given to show its influence on traditional and deconstructive theory on translation objectivity and subjectivity.After analysis of the question and study on the theory and method, questions raised in Chapter One will be studied from the perspective of Hermeneutics in Chapter Three based on a critical assimilation of the theory with a brief analysis of the translation of The Da Vinci Code. Enlightenment will be drawn from Philosophical Hermeneutics to give a dialectical study on translation objectivity and subjectivity of the translator. This part will also discuss how to deal with"Prejudice"and bring subjectivity into full play within the framework of Gadamer's"Fusion of Horizons". Different circumstances of Fusion of Horizons are specifically studied; and under each circumstance, reasonable and unreasonable Prejudice of the translator is carefully differentiated and dealt with.The last part is the conclusion of the whole thesis.