On The Translation Of Ci Poems Of Li Qingzhao From The Perspective Of Hermeneutic Translation Theory

The research on Li Qingzhao's ci poem is an important part of Chinese literary studies. Translation of the ci poem of Li Qingzhao has been carried out for a long time home and abroad. This thesis aims to make a detailed analysis of different translated versions of Li Qingzhao's ci poem from the perspective of George Steiner's Hermeneutic Translation Theory. According to the Hermeneutic Translation Theory, the translation process is a process of understanding and interpreting the original text. Different translators have their own understanding of the same original text; therefore they may produce different versions. Hermeneutic Translation Theory holds that there are four steps in the process of translation. In other words,"trust","aggression","incorporation"and"restitution". In the process of"trust", translators believe that there must be something meaningful and valuable in the text to be translated. In the next process"aggression", translators try to understand the meaning of the text. In the third process"incorporation", translator's incorporation of the text falls into two categories: the incorporation of meaning and form. In the last process"restitution", translators are supposed to restore the balance in translation. Steiner's fourfold hermeneutic translation theory is put forward theoretically. It plays an important role in translation studies. However, Steiner does not give a systematic explanation of the application of the four steps in translation.The principle of"prejudice"is one of the basic concepts of philosophical hermeneutics. As a famous representative of philosophical hermeneutics, Gadamer holds that understanding is historical and this forms the prejudice of understanding. Due to the historicity of understanding, it is common that translators may have prejudice of the past texts. Translators live in different historical background and form their various prejudices. Therefore, in the process of translation they would make different choices and produce different versions. According to the principle of"fusion of horizons", both the translator and the text have their own"horizons". In the process of understanding, these two"horizons"interact with each other and form"fusion of horizons"then reach a brand-new"horizon".This thesis holds that the principles of"prejudice"and"fusion of horizons"are closely related to the four steps of translation. In the process of"trust", translators use their own prejudices to make evaluation of the text. They believe the text is serious and there must be something meaningful and valuable in it. The principle of"fusion of horizons"is related to the"aggression","incorporation"and"restitution"process. In these processes, the translator's"horizon"interact with that of the text and form a new"horizon"then a version is produced. This thesis points out the principles of"prejudice"and"fusion of horizons"can perfect Steiner's fourfold hermeneutic translation theory. Translators should combine the two principles and the four steps in translation process. It is also the new point of this thesis.In order to understand the unique artistic charm of Li Qingzhao's ci poem more effectively, this thesis analyses the main themes and characteristics of her ci poem. Then through analysis of different translated versions of her ci poem, this thesis attempts to explore how the principles of"prejudice"and"fusion of horizons"as well as the four steps are carried out. Finally this thesis points out Hermeneutic Translation Theory is important in translation studies. Due to different understanding, translators may produce different translation versions. However, this does not mean that translators can translate the text at random. To produce a correct and successful version, translators should try to get enough pre-knowledge of the original text and its author before carrying out translation. Translators should respect the text and its author. This also shows the importance of"prejudice"in translation. Translators are supposed to know more about the author's historical and cultural background, his or her life and main achievements as well as the contents and characteristics of the text. In this way, translators can get correct understanding and avoid misreading then produce good versions. Meanwhile, translation is no easy job. Chinese ci poems are even more difficult to translate. Therefore how to produce good translation of Chinese ci poems so that foreign readers can share the unique artistic charm of them is still a problem that deserves further study.