A Study Of Shen Suru’s Views On Translation

Shen Suru, a forerunner of international communication and a senior translator in China, has made great achievements in both translation practice and theories. This thesis makes a study of Shen’s views on translation, aiming at fully affirming his contributions to translation studies and showing his important role in Chinese translation history. Due to the lack of a comprehensive and systematic study of Shen’s views on translation, the author tries to elaborate Shen’s views thoroughly after a brief introduction to his translation career and his achievements in translation with the method of literature collection and theoretical research. The author also makes some objective comments upon his views on translation while appreciating his contributions.This thesis tries to explore Shen’s views on translation from five aspects---the nature of translation, the principle xin-da-ya by Yan Fu, the construction of contemporary Chinese translation theories, the style of translation and the importance of translation---by making a literature research about Shen’s articles on translation as well as his two books on translation, namely, On "Xin-Da-Ya":The Chinese Principle of Translation and Access to Perfection in Translation:Faithfulness, Expressiveness and Elegance.Based on Shen’s views discussed in this thesis, it is generalized that his views on translation are characterized by rationality&objectivity, open-mindedness, practicality and pertinence. The author highly appreciates the value of Shen’s views on translation especially that of his study of xin-da-ya. With mass introduction of foreign translation theories and some doubts about traditional Chinese translation theories, Shen made a high estimation of xin-da-ya, the traditional Chinese principle of translation, by doing a systematic study of it. It is commendable of Shen to treasure the traditional translation theories in China in1980s. It is held in this thesis that Shen’s interpretation of xin-da-ya are helpful for us to have a better understanding of this principle and that his initiative systematic research of Yan’s principle inspires our further studies and benefits the inheritance of traditional Chinese translation theories. Moreover, the rational core of xin-da-ya discovered by Shen Suru not only enriches this principle but also reflects its theoretical value and practical significance.There is no doubt that Shen has made great contributions to the inheritance of our traditional translation theories and the development of contemporary Chinese translation theories, although one of his views on style is too theoretical to achieve in practice, for the translation will, more or less, have the style of translators. The thesis concludes that Shen Suru is an experienced translator and a successful translation theorist. His views on translation are valuable for the younger translators.