On English Translation Of Cultural Essays In Light Of Steiner’s Hermeneutic Translation Theory

Essays have always played a crucial role in Chinese literary system, but not in line withtheir status, the English translation of essays is not systemically analyzed and the study ofrelevant theories has so far not yet gained enough concerns. In particular, the Englishtranslation of cultural essays is almost neglected, let alone the establishment of relevanttheories. The reasons for this situation are multiple. The precise understanding of the richculture deposits and artistic charm of cultural essays may be the most important factor intranslating cultural essays, and the appropriate reproduction of the spirit of the original, to alarge extent, is the key to translating cultural essays. With some essays in Yu Qiuyu’s CulturalJourney as the object of translation practice, this thesis, guided by Steiner’s hermeneutictranslation theory, especially the notion “understanding as translation” and the “hermeneuticmotion”, stresses the importance of the translator’s subjectivity initiative in the whole processof cultural essays translating, points out that the “imbalance” phenomena occurring in the firstthree steps of hermeneutic motion are inevitable and the fourth step “compensation” is ofgreat importance, and then makes a bold analysis of how to restore the balance between thetranslation and the original at three levels, namely at the language level, the art level and theculture and emotion level.This thesis, firstly, introduces the research background, object, theoretical foundation,methodology and practical significance of this study; secondly, presents a previous relevantstudy of Cultural Journey and its translation, as well as Steiner’s hermeneutic translationtheory at home and abroad; then guided by Steiner’s hermeneutic motion, points out that“imbalance” phenomena are inevitable in understanding and interpreting Cultural Journey;and moreover, makes an analysis of how to restore the balance between the two texts mainlyat three levels, namely at language, art and culture and emotion level, and relevant examplesare further discussed at each level. As for language, this thesis gives a minute analysis of theselection of words, the organization of sentence structures and the cohesion of discourse; asfor art, it involves the reproduction of the similar effect of original rhetorical devices and toneand manner; as for culture and emotion, it deals with the specific cultural context and author’semotions and feelings.Furthermore, as to what the translator should do before, during and after translatingcultural essays, some ideas will be presented for reference and further study. Finally, thisthesis makes a comprehensive conclusion and positively stresses the significant guiding roleof Steiner’s hermeneutic translation theory in translating cultural essays, and problems the author encounters in translating and limitations of the present research are also involved.