Lin Shu And His Translation

Lin Shu is a notable translator in China and one of the pioneers in modern Chinese literature translation, being the first to formally introduce western literature works. His success is a unique historical phenomenon in a special background. Lin Shu had translated more than 246 pieces of works of 107 authors from 11 different nations, which is an everlasting contribution to the import of western literature and the progress of social culture in that period, leaving the later generations a valuable cultural heritage.A great many of research work has been dedicated to Lin Shu and his works in the worlds of translation, literature and history, there existing criticism as well as acclamation. This dissertation shall take one of Lin Shu's translation work HeiNu YuTian Lu (Uncle Tom's Cabin) as its subject of research, aiming to make a preliminary probe into Lin Shu's art of translation. Starting from the life experiences of Lin Shu and his motivation for translation, this dissertation shall focus on the analysis on Lin Shu's translation techniques while offering an analysis of the historical significance and various comments on Lin Shu's translation.This dissertation consists of three chapters. Chapter one is a brief introduction to Lin Shu's life experiences by beginning with the family background, with his family tuition included. It offers a glimpse of Lin Shu's process of growth with life stories of Lin Shu's childhood, youth and manhood, followed by Lin Shu's teaching career. Chapter Two is an introduction to the course of Lin Shu's success in translation. Coming first is Lin Shu's early attempts in translation. The next is an introduction of Lin Shu's success with BaLi ChaHuaNu YiShi (La Dame aux Camelias). The last is an analysis of Lin Shu's contributions, position in history and influences of his translation works.Chapter Three is the major part of this dissertation. The author shall make a detailed systematic analysis on Lin Shu's translation techniques and language features of his tranlation from the author's own point of view by assorting, refining and utilising the existing achievements of other researchers. The author shall make a step-by-step analysis on the characteristics of translation techniques with the view of Lin Shu's translation work HeiNu YuTian Lu. The dissertation shall sum up the characteristics of Lin Shu's translation techniques so as to offer an overall quick glimse of Lin Shu's translation by comparing HeiNu YuTian Lu with Lin Shu's other translation works.HeiNu YuTian Lu, a masterpiece in the prime of Lin Shu's translation career, as well as the most influential of his translation works, can reflect Lin Shu's translation techniques and the corresponding characteristics. The dissertation offers an analysis of the background and Lin Shu's motivation of the translation of the said book, followed by the social reactions of its publication. Then the dissertation offers an analysis on the language features of Lin Shu's translation. After a summary of acclamations on Lin Shu's translation works, the dissertation focuses on the flaws. By comparing sufficient examples, the dissertation offers a detailed explanation of the merits and flaws of Lin Shu's translation techniques along with an analysis of the causes of the flaws.