A Study On Howard Goldblatt’s Subjectivity In Translation

The traditional translation theory in the west is text-oriented and focuses on "equivalence" and "loyalty" of translation from the linguistic perspective. However, it neglects the subject of translation----translator and its subjectivity and results in the rarity of researches on translators. In the 1970s, the turning point of translation studies came---"cultural turn", afterwards, translator’s identity as a new topic became invigorated in all the translation studies. The trend of "cultural turn" has gradually turned the attention of translation practitioner and theorists from traditional source-text-oriented theory to target-text-oriented theory. As a representative for the contemporary Chinese literary translation, Sinologist Howard Goldblatt enjoys world fame with his unique translation style. With the selection of Goldblatt’s translation of Red Sorghum and The Moon Opera as research subject, this thesis discusses Goldblatt’s subjectivity in the two novels.With the application of manipulation theory, this thesis analyzes Goldblatt’s subjectivity in different times and his selection of translation strategies. According to the manipulation theory, translation is rewriting and manipulation of the original text. The author finds out that the style of Goldblatt’s early translation is similar to the characteristics of English language. Goldblatt mainly employs the method of domestication as his main translation strategy and deletes or rewrites many parts of the original text. However, the influence of living and study experience in China and his high level of literary attainment nurtures his translation style. Therefore, in the translation of The Moon Opera, the translation style is close to the style of source text and remains many Chinese characteristics and culture. By analyzing two translations of Howard Goldblatt, the author holds the idea that the translator’s subjectivity in the translation wears off as his personal experience and translation view change from the western-oriented style to the east-orientated style for target readers.This thesis is of the following purpose and significance:Firstly, this thesis discusses the function of the translator’s subjectivity in translation practice. Secondly, it analyzes the literariness of the two novels and the performance of translator’s subjectivity on literary translation. Thirdly, it systematically compares the translation style and translation strategies in Red Sorghum and The Moon Opera with listed examples. Fourthly, according to the case study, the summary of the translator’s subjectivity provides a new angle for literary translation criticism. Lastly, this thesis arouses the attention of scholars and translators to enhance the translation quality by putting translator’s subjectivity into full use. Literary translation is not only about expressing textual meaning, but also about revealing connotative meaning from the perspective of literature to elevate aesthetic and literary value.