Ken Liu’s Translator Habitus Based On The Three-body Problem: A Bourdieu’s Reflexive Sociology Perspective

Based on Bourdieu’s reflexive sociology for practice,this thesis attempts a descriptive way to investigate Ken Liu’s translator habitus first by analyzing his selection of the text,the translation strategies and writing features represented in The Three-Body Problem as a case example,with both qualitative and quantitative analyses employed.These strategic choices in the translation process are further verified by Ken Liu’s views on translating,together conceptualized as his translator subjectivity.Through the socialized process by adopting the sociological research methods,the author tries to find out Ken Liu’s individual trajectories by observing and comparing his professional experiences and social contacts,including his collaborations with the authors,editors and communications with the readers,and to explain his inclinations or preferences.Furthermore,the fields where Ken Liu generates and operates his habitus are investigated with the historical method for their interplay with what Ken Liu inclines to do as a translator.By the research procedures stated above,this thesis reaches three conclusions: firstly,Ken Liu’s translator habitus can be represented not only by his selection of the works,but also by the translation strategies and the writing features behind which lie his translation views;secondly,Ken Liu’s translator habitus can be further classified into three interactive categories,i.e.,translational habitus,writing habitus and social habitus,which prompts him to possess;his own style and subjectivity by making those strategic choices;thirdly,Ken Liu’s translator habitus operates in the relevant fields with his capitals accumulating.