A Study Of Non-equivalence In Translation From The Perspective Of Peircean Semiotics

In this thesis, Peircean semiotics is chosen to serve as the theoretical paradigm to study the phenomenon of translation non-equivalence with the expectation that the problem of translation equivalence can be better discussed from a new perspective. Among several schools of semiotics, Peircean semiotics has become the mainstream due to its wide research scope, detailed sign classification, rigorous logic system and great practical value. As an interdisciplinary subject, semiotics has exerted great influence on many disciplines, but the semiotically-motivated studies in translation are comparatively deficient both in quantity and in quality. The study of non-equivalence in translation from Peircean semiotic viewpoint is the main task of this thesis. In the light of Peirce's general sign theory, especially his sign-object-interpretant triad and his concept on each interacting element in this triad, the problem of non-equivalence in translation is discussed and studied.The whole thesis consists of five parts. The first part includes the introduction of semiotics and the literature review. The second part introduces the main concepts and theories of Peircean semiotics including the foundational categories of Peirce's semiotics, the sign-object-interpretant semiotic triad, the semiosis and three general principles of Peircean semiotics. In the third part, the relationship between semiotics and translation, Peircean semiotics and translation, the problem of translation equivalence and Peirce's understanding of translation equivalence are presented. The fourth part is most important. In this part, based on Peirce's semiotic theories, the problem of non-equivalence in translation is studied and discussed in terms of sign-object relation, sign-interpretant relation and sign-sign relation respectively. At the end of this part, the proposal is put forward that the equivalent translation should be attempted in the utmost degree no matter how hard it is. Finally, a general conclusion is drawn from the above discussion. Peirce's sign theory can shed new light on translation studies and a new trend, semiotranslation is growing. But there still exist many problems, which requires more work and further studies.