A Study On The English Translation Of Rhymes Of Li Youcai And Other Stories From The Perspective Of Toury’s Translation Norms

Shapiro,a foreign translator,made a significant contribution to Chinese translation career and foreign cultural exchanges.Although some researchers have paid certain attention to his translation,the study depth and width still need to be improved.This thesis takes the Chinese and English version of Rhymes of Li Youcai and Other Stories as the study object within the theoretical framework of Toury’s translation norms.It studies norms embeded in translated text from the perspective of history,culture,and translator’s personal work and life experience with the method of comparison,analysis,and deduction etc.,and explores the factors that contribute to the formation of these norms.By doing research,it tries to provide reference for the stu.dy of Shapiro’s translational behavior,and further promotes Chinese cultural exchange by creating a new angle for the academic study of Zhao Shuli.The preliminary norms translator obeyed were consistent with China’s translation policy in 1950s,during which the New China founded and it was urgent to set up a new international image.Zhao Shuli’s works described thriving new life in liberated ru:ral areas and his popular colloquial style was praised highly by Guo Moruo,Zhu Ziqing,Mao Dun etc.Thus,his works became optional translation source text.Besides,both Shapiro’s proficiency in Chinese and his wife help in literary creation make it possible for doing the translation directly from ST;The operational norms translator obeyed are shown in the strategies he/she adopted at micro textual level.Generally speaking,Shapiro’s translation show the tendency of domestication and free translation through the skills of addition,omission and relocation,which give a full consideration to target readers’ reading habits.The formation of such operational norms are closely related with the weak international position China had in 1950s;The initial norm is reflected in translator’s general tendency towards translation.By studying the whole text thoroughly,it finds that Shapiro paid more attention to TT’s "acceptability" than "adequacy".However,he also gave due consideration to the governance of source language culture while dealing with some thematic details.All in all,a special balance was made between two cultural systems.