The Translations Of The Analects From The Perspective Of Reception Theory

As an important Confucian classic recording of the teaching of Confucius, The Analects is one of the most influential books in the world history. Covering a wide scope of subjects from politics, philosophy, literature and art to education and moral cultivation, The Analects is the earliest and most reliable source on the life and teaching of the Sage, Confucius, and is regarded by the Chinese as the basic"scripture"of Confucianism. Full of wit and wisdom, it is still pertinent even today at home and abroad. There are many translations of this rewarding but difficult work. On the basis of the above facts, the author produces great interest in the translation of The Analects. In the thesis, the author intends to explore the three English translations of The Analects in different periods from the perspective of reception theory.This thesis is divided into five chapters, including an introduction and a conclusion. The introduction includes research background, research objectives and general significance and methodology in this thesis. Chapter Two focuses on the theoretical framework——reception theory and its relationship between translation. Then it explains the two concepts of reception theory——"horizon of expectations"and"indeterminacy"and elaborates their application to literary translation. Chapter Three briefly talks about Confucius, The Analects and gives a survey of English translations of The Analects, especially the translations in the western countries and corresponding studies. Chapter Four introduces three English versions of The Analects by Legge, Waley and Muller and offers a detailed comparative analysis of the three English versions from the perspective of reception theory. The conclusion part summarizes the whole thesis and provides suggestions for further research.Instead of evaluating the relative gains and losses in the three versions, the thesis only intends to probe the causes why there are so many translations of The Analects. It concludes that The Analects, like an abundant mineral resource, can not be fully excavated by a single interpretation. Furthermore, one version of The Analects can not satisfy the need of every reader in different periods. Only through reading many versions of it, can we gradually get closer and closer to the original meaning of the work.