Translating Paradoxes In Self-Translation

Translation is a field full of paradoxes. Self-translation, as a special translating phenomenon, is of great significance in translation studies. Due to the uniqueness of self-translation, many aspects in self-translation are contradictory but unified, separated but integrated. In this thesis, the category of paradox will be brought into the self-translation studies. Consequently, from a new perspective, the thesis focuses on different paradoxes in self-translation, with an aim to achieve a philosophical turn in self-translation studies and promote further researches in this field.In this thesis, different paradoxes in self-translating and how the unity of those paradoxes can be reached will be explored. Moreover, the reception of self-translated texts in target language will also be touched.On the basis of careful theoretical analysis and case studies on paradoxes in self-translation, the author has reached the conclusions as follows:(1) Undoubtedly, self-translation is a special form of translation. Since translation is full of paradoxes, it is objective and necessary to bring translating paradoxes into self-translation studies. On the basis of translating paradoxes, self-translation studies reveal the nature and intrinsic property of self-translation. Consequently, it is suggestive for self-translators to translate from a dialectical perspective.(2) Through analysis and elaboration of translating paradoxes, it can be seen that the author/translator feels so confused about their dual identity and struggles in a dilemma of self-translating or not. But at the same time, self-translators make good use of their subjectivity and privileged freedom to use different kinds of translating methods and strategies flexibly, displaying the spirit and style of their own works to a full extend.(3) The purpose of self-translating is to properly transfer cultural information and to meet the target readers’ aesthetic taste. Meanwhile, it is more important for self-translators to make their own works reborn in a new language and culture. Therefore, it is better for self-translators to recognize the seemingly contradictory but logically equivalent paradoxes in self-translation, and then make right choices to meet target readers’ horizon of expectations, realize the final goal of cultural transplantation, integration and communication, and promote mutual improvements as well.It is a novel try of this thesis to combine self-translation and translating paradoxes. Therefore, there must be many defects. Nevertheless, the author of this thesis only hopes that in the near future, more and more people will conduct researches into the field of self-translation in a more comprehensive and diversified way.