A Study On Yan Fu’s Selection And Adaptation In Translating Evolution And Ethics From Eco-translatology

Tian Yan Lun, the translated version of Evolution and Ethics, has been the hot topic being discussed since its publication. There are great disputes over its translating quality, translating methods, its influence and etc. In fact, it is not a faithful version to the original work. Instead, Yan Fu employed the method of "expressing the gist" to rewrite the original text. However, it still enjoys great popularity especially in late Qing society. Up to now, it has been explained within many theories. For example, Skopos theory emphasizes Yan Fu’s purpose in translating Evolution and Ethics, manipulation theory lays much emphasis on the influence of ideology, poetics and patronage; the reception theory pays attention to the reader’s influence and expectation on Yan Fu. There are enormous studies on Yan Fu’s translation of Tian Yan Lun, however, studies from eco-translatological perspective are rare and there is still room to make research.With the deepening of globalization and the flood of ecology wave, Professor Hu Gengshen introduced ecology into translation study and established eco-translatology. Eco-translatology provides a holistic and comprehensive framework for translation study. It examines the influence of translational eco-environment on the translator as well as the translator’s multi-dimensional adaptation and selection.The present thesis conducts an eco-translatological study on Yan Fu’s selection and adaptation in his translation of Tian Yan Lun. It mainly explores the manifestations of Yan Fu’s multi-dimensional selections, that is how and to what extent Yan Fu made selections on three dimensions; analyses his adaptations, namely why he made selections; and finally it makes an evaluation on Yan Fu’s translation version of Tian Yan Lun by the evaluation mechanism put forward by Eco-translatology.Through the analysis, the thesis draws the following conclusions:Yan Fu’s realization of multi-dimensional selections are reflected by the transformations on linguistic, cultural and communicative dimensions; the causes for his selections are to realize his full adaptation to the main internal and external translational eco-environment; Tian Yan Lun is the result of natural selection by specific eco-environment and reaches a high degree of holistic adaptation and selection. In a word, the huge social influence and great reputation of Tian Yan Lun is based on Yan Fu’s sacrifice of "faithfulness" to the original text and his adaptation and selection to the translational eco-environment.