Gadamer 's Hermeneutics And The Understanding In The Process Of Translation

As the philosophical hermeneutics and the study of translation theory is becoming more and more intertwined, the former provides a new research approach for the development of translation. Although hermeneutics is not methodological guidance for translation studies, it provides philosophical perspective for the research of translation, especially for the understanding and interpretation in the translation process. Principles of hermeneutics have important guiding functions in translation theory and translation practice. Hermeneutics plays a crucial role on the understanding of text. Hermeneutics is an old art concerning understanding and interpretation. Hermeneutists, philosophers, and historians were and are constantly exploring the path of hermeneutics. A leading exponent is Gadamer whose philosophical hermeneutics reveals the essence of human understanding. Former understanding, historical effects, and fusion of horizons are the three principles of his hermeneutics. Many problems in translation activities can be answered through the principles and paradigm in philosophical hermeneutics. Thus, it can promote the dynamic operation of translation activities and explain many controversies in traditional translation theories.The translation process can be divided into two phases, namely understanding/comprehension and expression. Accurate understanding of the original text is the premise of translation and the key to produce a smooth expression. From the perspective of hermeneutics, this paper focuses on the role of hermeneut ics effecting the understanding step in the process of translation. Through this paper, the author endeavors to establish a deeper recognition of the understanding step in translation process and contributes to the accuracy of understanding.