Translational Selection From The Perspective Of Translator’s Subjectivity

Lin Yutang is honored as a great scholar, writer and translator who Versed withboth oriental and western culture, concentrated in reviewing writings of theworld, and enjoys highly reputation abroad. Based upon Lin Yutang s versionof Six Chapters of a Floating Life, this thesis combines Lin Yutang s translationthought with his cultural views to probe into translational selections bythe translator. A theoretical framework of translator s subjectivity has been establishedto discuss Lin Yutang s subjectivity and his identity, analyze Lin s version of SixChapters of a Floating Life in terms of textural selection, translationmotivation, linguistic expression and translation strategies, and theirinterrelationships with translator s subjectivity.Influenced by Chinese culture, Lin Yutang was a lover of Chinese classicalworks, and it is he who successfully first rendered Six Chapters of a Floating Life intothe West. In terms of linguistic expression, Lin Yutang adheres to the translatingcriteria of Faithfulness, Fluency and Beauty put forward by himself.With respect to Lin s translated text, taking the target readers into consideration, LinYutang manages to adopt translation methods of proper omission and activecompensation in order to make the target readers comprehend Chinese culture easier.At the same time, translation techniques of domestication and foreinazaiton havebeen employed frequently with the intent to transmit Chinese culture, to make thewesterners acquire more about China.It is found in this thesis that, Lin Yutang s subjectivity goes through the wholetranslating, and that his translation thought, linguistic and cultural views, aestheticthought interact with the selections in text for Six Chapters of a FloatingLife, in linguistic expression and translation strategies, and that his translationalselections under subjectivity aims to transmit Chinese culture to the West.Under the contemporary context of cultural consciousness, this thesis willbe of great significance for us to popularize Chinese culture andhave equal dialogue with other cultures, which advances Chinese cultures into theworld with diverse cultures.