A Comparative Analysis Of Four Chinese Versions Of The Great Gatsby From The Perspective Of Appraisal Theory

Appraisal theory is a theory in linguistic area put forward in the1990s by JamesR. Martin and developed within the framework of Halliday’s Systemic FunctionalLinguistics (SFL). The Appraisal theory studies interpersonal function that is concernedwith lexico-grammatical resources used to express attitudes, source and strength. TheAppraisal framework is composed of three systems, Attitude, Engagement andGraduation.This thesis aims to analyze the four Chinese versions of The Great Gatsby, animportant work in American literary history, from the perspective of appraisal theory.With Chapter7of the novel as a sample, this thesis tries to answer the following threeresearch questions:1. Is it feasible to use the appraisal theory in evaluating translation?2. Can the thesis provide a different approach to translation studies?3. How to use thismethod to help the future translation practice?After a comparative analysis, the thesis has the following findings: firstly, on thebasis of five translation criteria and three analysis questions, this thesis compares theadvantages and disadvantages of the four translations. Secondly, after a quantitative andqualitative study, this thesis testifies that it is feasible to use appraisal theory to evaluatetranslation, thus providing a different approach to translation studies. Thirdly, translatorsshould pay attention to equivalent translation if they want to accurately translatelexico-grammatical resources used to express attitudes, source and strength. It is hopedthat this thesis can shed some light on Chinese translation of English literary works.