Translation, a bridge between different languages and cultures, plays an indispensable role in cross-culture communication. However, as a translator, we have to choose which strategy to deal with the cultural differences between the source language and the target language in the process of translation where there exists two major translation strategies--- domestication and foreignization. In this thesis, I will discuss these strategies and their application from translation, linguistics, and cross-cultural communication perspectives.
In the thesis, I will first talk about the current research of the domestication and foreignization in the translation circle as well as point out the necessity for further research. Then, I will illustrate the relationship between linguistics and translation as well as between culture and translating and next systematically discuss these two translation strategies including their definitions, the controversy in history and their current studies.
Besides, I will continue to deal with such neglected factors as may influence the translator’s choice of translation strategies: the type of the source text (ST), the translation purposes, the level of the intended readers, the social and historical background, the translator’s attitude and so on. Finally, from the linguistic and cultural perspectives, the thesis makes a comparative study of the application of domestication and foreignization by analyzing typical examples from the two English versions of Hong Lou Meng translated by Yang Xianyi and David Hawkes respectively.
The thesis will conclude that these two translation strategies have their respective features and applicable value. I sincerely hope that this research into translation strategies will enlighten translators and make a little contribution to the prosperity of translation studies and translation practice in China.
Key words: translation strategy; domestication; foreignization; application
CONTENTS
Abstract…………………………………………..…………..……..I
摘要……………………………………………………………… Ⅲ
Chapter1 Introduction 1
1.1 The Cultural Turn in the Study of Translation 1
1.2 Studies of Domestication and Foreignization 3
1.3 The Purpose, Significance and the Framework of the Thesis 4
Chapter 2 Towards Domestication and Foreignization 5
2.1 Definitions of Domestication and Foreignization 5
2.2 The Disputes over Domestication and Foreignization in History 7
2.3Why Have the Disputes Always Been Going on? 8
2.4 Advantages and Disadvantages of Domestication and Foreignization 9
Chapter 3 Factors that Influence Translator’s Selection of Translation Strategies 11
3.1 Types of Text 11
3.2 Social and Cultural Background 15
3.3 Target Language Readers 15
3.4 Translator’s Attitude 17
Chapter 4 The Application of the Two Strategies to the Two English Versions of Hong Lou Meng 19
4.1 A Glimpse of Hong Lou Meng and Its English Versions 19
4.2 The Reasons for Choosing These two English Versions of Hong Lou Meng 20
4.3 A Comparative Study of the Two Versions of Hong Lou Meng 21
4.4 Translating Hong Lou Meng According to the Social Culture 22
Chapter 5 Conclusions 25
Bibliography 27
Acknowledgements 29