Abstract Jiang Rong’s novel Wolf Totem is renowned for its unique perspective, ecology topic and compelling plots. It has caused a sensation since its publication in 2004. Four yeas later, its English version hit an all-time record in the sales of Chinese novel overseas. To a large extent, its success is attributed to the translator Howard Goldblatt’s profound understanding of Chinese language and culture as well as his excellent adaptive selection in the translational eco-environment.58386
Hu Gengshen proposed a theory of translation as adaptation and selection in 2001. This theory holds that the essence of translation is the translator’s selection activity to fit the translational eco-environment. This paper is devoted to making an in-depth analysis of adaptive selection on the basis of three-dimensional theory, namely, linguistics, culture, communication in the view of Eco-translatology. This thesis aims to give useful enlightenment to the career of Chinese translation and transmission of Chinese culture.
Keywords: Wolf Totem; Eco-environment; Eco-translatology; Three-dimensional Theory
摘要姜戎小说《狼图腾》以其独特的视角,生态的主题和扣人心弦的故事情节,2004年一经出版就在国内引起轰动。4年后,英译本的发行更是使其创造了中国小说在海外的最高销售记录。该译本的成功很大程度上归功于译者对中国语言和文化的深刻了解以及对翻译生态环境出色的适应性选择。
胡庚申于2001年提出了翻译适应选择论。该理论认为翻译的本质是译者一种适应翻译生态环境的选择活动。该论文从生态翻译学的视角,在三维理论的基础上,从具体例子中深入分析译者在语言维,文化维,交际维三维转换中做出的适应选择。希望对为中国翻译事业和文化传播提供有益的帮助。
毕业论文关键词:《狼图腾》;生态环境;生态翻译学;三维理论
1. Introduction 1
2. Literature Review 1
2.1 Synopsis of Wolf Totem 1
2.2 Core Concepts of Eco-translatology 2
2.2.1 Eco-translatology 2
2.2.2 Translation Eco-environment 2
2.2.3 Three-dimensional Theory 3
2.3 Previous Studies on Eco-translatology in China and abroad 4
3. Exploration of Wolf Totem from the Perspective of Eco-translatology 4
3.1 Linguistic Adaptation and Selection 4
3.2 Cultural Adaptation and Selection 7
3.3 Communicative Adaptation and Selection 9
4. Conclusion 12
Works Cited 13
1. Introduction
A novel named Wolf Totem has made a heat wave to readers in China since its publication in 2004 and has been sold more than 1,000,000 copies in a year. Four years later, its English version came out. The novel has turned out to be a tremendous success in the global market, which has been hotly debated. Needless to say, it is due to the great contribution of Howard Goldblatt, a famous American sinologist and translator. The popularity of this novel is attributed to his profound understanding of Chinese language and culture as well as his subtle selection of translation strategies. More and more scholars turn their eyes on the English version in the hope that more Chinese literature works can reach the world and increase china’s cultural soft power.
In recently years, an increasing number of scholars have recognized the role of translator. As we know, Eco-translatology sheds light on exploring translation mechanism during the process of translation based on three-dimensional theory. From the perspective of Eco-translatology, it can be inferred that when the translator take part in decisions about translation, he should take many factors into consideration before achieving an excellent work in order to survive in the translational world like eco-environment. This thesis is devoted to analyzing the translated novel in detail in the view of Eco-translatology. To be specific, the paper explores the concrete adaptation and selection through three dimensions, namely linguistics, culture, communication. At last, we hope this paper will give Chinese translators some inspirations in their later work and help them translate more excellent works to spread splendid Chinese culture.