The Translation Of John Steinbeck In China:1949-1976

The translation and introduction of American writer John Steinbeck in China began in the early1940s. So far it has a history of more than70years. Most of his important works have been translated and published in Chinese.There is also a deepening and expanding study of Steinbeck. During the translation history of more than70years in China, there has been up and downs. The translation of Steinbeck who had been widely translated and adored in the40s rapidly cooled after entering the50s. In this paper, I choose to study the period from1949to1976.On the basis of combing translated details, starting from the political and cultural context of translation, I will try to analyze his several important works with the help of translation theory of Andre Lefevere, an American translation theorist. I will try to discuss the social and cultural factors displayed in the process of translation and publication. Studying the translation of Steinbeck in China will be helpful to answer the question what factors were functioning in the introduction and transmission of a foreign writer in China, especially in the50s to70s.The introduction part of the thesis is a brief introduction of Steinbeck and states the reason to choose the topic and its research significance. The text mainly divides into three parts:the first chapter is mainly about the presentation of the translation situation, including translation and repositioning of Steinbeck’s image in China. The translation and evaluation of Steinbeck in the50s to70s has distinct characteristics of that time, and also reflects the continuity of the40s. The second chapter is an analysis on three short stories, The Grapes of Wrath and The Pear1based on the translation theory of Lefevere. This chapter focuses on the introduction of a work in China and its acceptance process, revealing the manipulating factors behind it. The third chapter mainly focuses on the main factors influencing the translation of Steinbeck in this period. The translation of Steinbeck is not only influenced by Chinese cultural environment, also influenced by the Soviets.The writer’s own political position and the transformation of writing also plays an important role. The conclusion part is the summary of the full text. According to my study of the translation of Steinbeck in this period, we can see the functioning of culture and social ideology behind it.