A Comparative Analysis Of The Two English Versions Of Kuang Ren Ri Ji And Kong Yiji-From The Perspective Of Functional Linguistics

The Systemic-Functional Grammar (SFG), firstly presented by M.A.K Halliday, provides people with a new perspective to cognize language. It is generally accepted as an effective theoretical framework to analyze language. In SFG, language is regarded as the outcome of social activities and performs various functions. Systemic-Functional Linguistics consists of two parts: Systemic Linguistics and Functional Linguistics. Functional Linguistics, on which this dissertation lays foundation, is concerned with how language is used and is viewed as a tool for social communication. According to Halliday, the ways in which human beings use language are classified into three broad categories, which is referred to as three metafunctions. They are: ideational, interpersonal and textual metafunction. The three metafunctions of language inter-relate one another, and weigh equally important in the studies of SFG.In this paper, the two English versions of Kuang Ren Ri Ji and Kong Yiji written by Lu Xun are studied under the framework of Functional Linguistics. They are compared in terms of the different degrees to which the interpersonal and textual functions of the original are reproduced in the translations. With the theoretical introduction and example illustration, this dissertation is to deeper the reader's understanding of Functional Linguistics, and more importantly, to encourage more application of this theoretical framework to the translation criticism and translation practice.