A Study On Two English Versions Of Luotuo Xiangzi From The Perspective Of Functional Equivalence

Among Western translation theories, Eugune A. Nida'translation theory has a great impact on Chinese translation circles, especially the theory of functional equivalence,which is one of the most widely accepted theories. Nida defines translation as:"Translating consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source-language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style."(1969:12) His functional equivalence focuses on"the response of the receptor", in which the criterion of evaluation lies in the comparison between the understanding of the target readers and that of the source-language readers. The closest natural equivalent translation is the one that can evoke from its target readers the same response as the source text can from its readers.This paper aims to analyze and compare the two English versions, respectively Shi Xiaojing's Camel Xiangzi (1981) and Evan King's Rickshaw Boy(1945), of Luotuo Xiangzi on the basis of Eugene A. Nida's translation theory-Functional Equivalence. It is composed of six chapters. In the first chapter comes with this paper's significance, methodology and format. The second chapter gives the Literature Review of the whole paper briefly introducing the theoretical basis-Nida's Functional Equivalence. The following third chapter is instructive and essential giving a brief introduction to Lao She's life experience, works, and their translations. A general survey of the features in the two English versions is also previewed in this chapter. The fourth and fifth chapters try to make an analysis of the two English versions from linguistic and literature perspectives respectively. Chapter Six is conclusion including major findings and applicability of Functional Equivalence. Comparing the two English versions, the thesis is not purposely to tell which version is better than the other one, moreover, it is to enhance the communication between eastern and western cultures, more precisely, to strengthen the introduction of the unique Chinese culture to the outside world. To achieve this goal, translators have to present the spirit of the original, as well as make the target readers respond to it the same manner the source language readers to source language text.