On Translator’s Subjectivity Displayed In Zhang’s Translation Version Of Moment In Peking From The Perspective Of Hermeneutic Translation Theory

With “Cultural Turn” of translation studies in late 1970 s,this paper takes Zhang Zhenyu’s translation of Lin Yutang’s masterpiece Moment in Peking as research subject to study the translator’s subjectivity under the guidance of “Fourfold Translation Motion” of Steiner’s Hermeneutics theory.In order to study the translator’s subjectivity in the process of translation,this thesis guided by Steiner’s Hermeneutics theory will make a detailed comparative analysis of Lin Yutang’s original work and Zhang Zhenyu’s translation.From four perspectives,this paper analyzes Zhang Zhenyu’s subjectivity in text selection,text interpretation,language transplantation,information compensation and other aspects in the translation of Moment in Peking,and reveals the differences of translation caused by the distinct cultural cognitive system of the translator.It is proved that Steiner’s“Fourfold Translation Motion” can provide a new theoretical perspective for the study of translator’s subjectivity.George Steiner believes that hermeneutics can better explain the process of translation,which consists of four steps: trust,aggression,incorporation and compensation.In each of these four steps,translator’s subjectivity plays an important role.First of all,trust is the first step of hermeneutic translation theory.Zhang Zhenyu as the translator has profound knowledge of Chinese literature and cultural background.After reading the original work,he fully appreciates the original work and believes that it is a valuable and significant work,which is worth translating.Secondly,due to the limitations of different literary traditions and language characteristics of the target reader,Zhang Zhenyu needs to invade the original work from his own consciousness,linguistic level and cultural level.Through a qualitative comparative analysis,the translator’s subjectivity is reflected in the adjustment of the original structure,the translator adopts the translation methods as addition,deletion and specification;the skillfully deals with the cultural loaded words,which shows the translator’s subjectivity to some extent.Thirdly,in the process of incorporation,Zhang Zhenyu has exerted the translator’s subjectivity in importing the form and meaning of the original text into the target language as much as possible.As for form incorporation,the translator mainly used original style restoration and sentence pattern reconstruction;and in the terms of meaning incorporation,the translator adopts the ways of literal meaning restoration and cultural meaning interpretation of the source language.Finally,in the process of compensation,for the purpose of trying to spread Chinese culture in translation,Zhang Zhenyu often uses the strategy of interpretation within the text and annotation of each chapter,which not only realizes the exchange of different culture,but also does not cause the excessive loss of the original text,seeking the balance between the original text and his translation version.The research results of this thesis confirm that from the perspective of Steiner’s Hermeneutics theory that translator’s subjectivity plays an significant role in the process of text selection,text translation,language transplantation,information compensation,which reflects the translator’s life experience,personal hobbies,language ability and cultural knowledge affect his choice of the work,his understanding of the text,his integration of meaning and form,and his compensation for the loss of translation.It emphasizes the reference position of the target readers and holds that the target text should take into account the response effect of the target readers.The essence of translation is that translation is a dialogue between the text and the translator.The problems encountered in translation practice are analyzed under the guidance of hermeneutic theory.It also doubts the objectivity,certainty and unique reference of the source text.