On Inter-Subjectivity In Literary Translation From The Perspective Of Fusion Of Horizons

Inter-subjectivity in translation, referring to the inherent relations among thesubjects established in translation activities, has gradually attracted the attentionof translation theorists. Though some researchers have observed its greatsignificance for translation studies and its guidance on translation practice, fewpractical methodologies have been adopted to guide the translator to deal withhis/her relations between other translation subjects. Therefore, this study isundertaken to explore inter-subjectivity in translation.Under the guidance of "fusion of horizons" theory, this thesis studied theconnotation of inter-subjectivity in literary translation, analyzed thecharacteristics of the three subjects' horizons in literary translation respectively,expounded that fusion of horizons is the embodiment of inter-subjectivity andput forward some suggestions for the translator as how to deal properly with therelation between other subjects in translation practice. Specifically, the researchis carried out from the following aspects:The connotation of inter-subjectivity in literary translation was explored.According to the translation process, this thesis holds that the original author,the translator and the target language (henceforth TL) reader are the subjects oftranslation. The subjectivity of the translation subjects refers to their creativity,self-determination and initiative. The connotation of inter-subjectivity in literarytranslation means that the subjects are equal and they coexist in the translation activity. Also, they have to interact and cooperate with each other based on theirsubjectivity to convey the artistic and aesthetic pleasure of the SL text. Then, itis maintained that the great significance of inter-subjective theory for translationstudies lies in that this theory clarifies the relations between the translator andother subjects in translation activities.Then, relations between the two theories, "fusion of horizons" and"horizon of expectations", and inter-subjectivity in literary translation werestudied. The theory of "fusion of horizons" emphasizes the historicity and thesubjectivity of the translator's horizon and the TL's horizon. Moreover, thistheory stresses understanding is a process of fusing the interpreter's presenthorizon with the text's past horizon, from which the meaning arises. "Horizonof expectations" theory also positively highlights the effect of the reader'shorizon of expectations on the text's meaning. As a result, fusion processes inliterary translation and the reader's horizon of expectations revealinter-subjectivity.What's more, characteristics of the subjects' horizons in literary translationwere investigated carefully. It is claimed that the horizons indicate not only theirsubjectivity but also inter-subjectivity.Furthermore, the embodiment of inter-subjectivity in literary translationprocess was explored deeply. The necessity to fuse the subjects' horizons isemphasized and it is pointed out that fusion processes can demonstrateinter-subjectivity in literary translation. Then two fusion processes are studied carefully, that is, fusion of the translator's horizon and the SL text's horizon andfusion of the TL reader's horizon and the TL text's horizon. Then it is concludedthat the TL text's horizon produced in the first process is different from that ofthe SL text in that the former consists of the original author's horizon and thetranslator's horizon; the artistic and aesthetic value of the original literary workis realized and appreciated by the TL reader whose horizon is widened, for itincludes not only his/her own horizon but also the SL text's horizon, thetranslator's horizon and the TL text's horizon. Therefore, fusion processesdemonstrate that the subjects coexist, interact and cooperate with each other inliterary translation. At last, by pointing out it is impossible to achieve idealfusion and fusion of horizons is a dynamic process, it is concluded thatretranslation is unavoidable and further communication and cooperation amongthe subjects are needed.This research provides the translator a better understanding ofinter-subjectivity in translation and helps the translator to deal properly withhis/her relation with other subjects in translation practice.