Context And Equivalent Translation

Context generally refers to the situations or circumstances of language use.Context has a close tie with language use and understanding of meaning.Thus it is difficult to define the meaning of an utterance or expression without considering the context in which it is used.Many outstanding scholars both at home and abroad have done much research on context,especially on its function and application in translation.Translation is an important cross-lingual and cross-cultural communication activity, which can help readers of one language acquire information contained in another language through semantic transference.In order to achieve a qualified transference between the source language and target language,the translator must take the role of context into full consideration.Only through understanding and studying context including linguistic context,situational context and cultural context,can the translator get the accurate interpretation and best expression,as a result of helping the target readers understand and appreciate the translation as the same as the original readers do.As a representative work of Qian Zhongshu,Weicheng seizes a unique position in the Chinese modern literature.It is typically a novel about the intellectuals,which is very famous for its characters,language,plots and style.The story reflects the working life and marriage life of the intellectuals in 1930s to 1940s.The book was translated into English by Jeanne Kelly together with Nathan K.Mao,and later into Spanish,French, German and so on.Fortress Besieged by Nathan K.Mao and Jeanne Kelly is discussed in this thesis.This is the only English version,which deserves much research.To translate such a unique work,only through reproducing a convincing context can the translator bring the target readers the original flavor and artistic conception.This thesis at the beginning traces the representative researches on context both at home and abroad;then discusses in detail on the definition,development,classification, and function of context;next,it elaborates on the nature of translation and the theory of dynamic equivalence of Eugene A Nida;indicates the close relation between translation, equivalence and context;and last,it exemplifies the application of context theory in the translation of Weicheng from three aspects of linguistic context,situational context and cultural context and shows the significant role of context in achieving an equivalent translation.This thesis clearly states that context plays an indispensible role in achieving an equivalent translation.This thesis is just a tentative exploration on the application of context theory to translation.Although more and more translators get to know the significance of context in getting a qualified translation on the theoretical level,large work remains to be done so as to arouse more people's attention to context in translation theory and practice and to encourage the translators to apply the context theory in the translating practice.