A Study On Translation Of Metaphors In Shakespeare’s Sonnets

The focus of this thesis is to reveal translation process of the metaphors in Shakespeare’s Sonnets under the framework of conceptual integration theory, which is of theoretical and practical value. Taking metaphor translation as a cognitive process, this thesis aims to categorize translations of metaphors in Shakespeare’s Sonnets and analyze the translation process of them according to different networks involved in translation process. The translation strategies and methods are discussed as well.By systematically reviewing the studies on translation of and metaphor in Shakespeare’s Sonnets at home and abroad, it is found that the researches which combine the both are seldom seen. Therefore, under the framework of Conceptual Integration Theory, this thesis proposes an integration network which is suitable for metaphor translation. By data collection and analysis of three different versions, this paper finds that translations of metaphors in Shakespeare’s Sonnets are carried out in single-scope networks, mirror networks and double-scope networks respectively. Typical examples in each type of translation are analyzed and compared, expecting to reveal the translation process of metaphors on a cognitive level. Besides, translation strategies and methods are categorized and discussed based on the above classification as well.This research provides evidence that Conceptual Integration Theory has a strong explanatory power in depicting the process of translation. Furthermore, this study shows that the translatability of metaphor is confirmed and it is a matter of degree under conceptual integration perspective. Moreover, translator’ subjectivity and creativity is reasonable and cannot be neglected during the translation process in that translators’ space participate in the whole translation process. This thesis promotes translation studies to be carried out as an interdisciplinary subject, which follows the trend of its development. Especially, its combination with cognitive science can provide translation studies with new methods, inspiration and broader vision.