Analysis Of Translator’s Subjectivity In Two Translations Of Na Han From The Perspective Of Hermeneutics

The present thesis employs the hermeneutic motion theory proposed byGeorge Steiner to analyze the influences of translator’s subjectivity on translationeffect, by citing two relatively complete English versions of Na Han as study cases.With the aim of proving that translator’s subjectivity is the main factor that diversifytranslations, the author of the thesis respectively illustrates how translator’ssubjectivity manifest itself in the fourfold motion.Hermeneutics, originating from the field of philosophy, is a great breakthroughin translation studies. George Steiner, the founder of the fourfold hermeneutic theory,points out that there are four movements in the process of translation: initiative trust,aggression, incorporation and compensation, all of which embody translator’ssubjectivity.In terms of study cases, the author has chosen two significant English versionsof Na Han, separately translated by the Yangs and William A. Lyell. As is known toall, Na Han, well-known as one of the most revolutionary and celebrated novelcollections in Chinese literary history enjoys its reputation domestically and abroad.In addition, the translators are eminent and representative.The author first outlines the development of studies on translator’s subjectivityand Hermeneutics, and then briefly introduces the original work and two translations.The author goes into details to make analyses of how translator’s subjectivityinfluences translations on the basis of hermeneutic motion. Taking hermeneutic fourfold motion as a focus of attention, the author does a contrastive analysis of thediversity of translations caused by Chinese and Western translators’ subjectiveconsciousness and proves that translator’s subjectivity which plays a vital role intranslation process can be studied by means of hermeneutic motion. Translator’sinitiative trust, aggression, incorporation and compensation cause the differenteffects on translating act.Based on the studies, the thesis may provide new reference materials for thestudies of translator’s subjectivity under the guidance of Hermeneutics, as well as thestudies on translations of Na Han.