An Equivalence-based Approach to the Translation of Images in Two Chinese Versions of A Tale of Two Cities功能对等视域下的意象翻译研究—以《双城记》两中译本为例文献综述

 2021-11-04 20:55:57

1. 研究目的与意义（文献综述包含参考文献）

1.Introduction 1.1 Research background Eugene A. Nidas translation theory was one of the earlier foreign translation theories introduced into China. When it was first introduced into China in the 1980s, it stirred a heated debate among translators and scholars. This debate has lasted for almost decades. Among Nidas translation theory, Functional Equivalence Theory emphasizes the conveyance of the SL (source language) cultural connotation. According to the theory, the meaning in translation is the most important factor to consider while the form is the second because focusing much attention on the form will hinder readers from understanding the SL cultural implications and intercultural communication. After many books introducing Nidas translation theory came out, such as Tan Zaixis A New Edition of Nida on Translation (1999), Cross-linguistic Communication (1993), Guo Jianzhongs Contemporary American Translation Theory (2000), more and more scholars accept and apply his translation theory.Charles Dickens is hailed as an critical realist as well as one of the greatest Victorian writers, whose novels are featured by sharp social criticism, gentle humanitarian, vivid outward portrayal, humorous and pungent irony. In the 1850s, during the Industrial Revolution, England was full of social and economic inequality. The urban poor people suffered the worst of times while the ruling class enjoyed the best of times. A Tale of Two Cities is one of his well-known novels composed during this period, which sets the French Revolution (1789-1794) as its background. The two cities are London and Paris, where the revolution took place. Dickens shows his deep sympathy for the low-class people by shaping Darnay and Carton and warns people that revolutionizing a society with violence will result in more innocent sacrifice in the depiction of Carton's death, which reflects his genteel ideas of reformism. He does a good job in the use of images in A Tale of Two Cities; therefore, the novel is thought-provoking and deserves further discussion.As early as in 1995, the first Chinese version ShuangChengji (双城记）was introduced to China by Lou Jinan; in 1981 Bi Junkes ShuangChengji (双城记）was published by Hunan Peoples Publishing House. Since then, a large number of Chinese versions have appeared, among which Song Zhaolins and Sun Falis are enjoying much popularity. Since the introduction of A Tale of Two Cities into China, some focus on the translated versions from angles of translation aesthetics and very few are from the perspective of Nidas Functional Equivalence Theory. Therefore, this thesis aims to make a comparative study of both Song Zhaolins and Sun Falis ShuangChengji from the perspective of Nidas Functional Equivalence Theory, with the purpose of deepening the application of Functional Equivalence Theory and helping TT (target text) readers fully appreciating the cultural implications of the two Chinese versions.1.2 Literature review Previous studies on Chinese Versions of A Tale of Two Cities and image translation will be reviewed in this section.1.2.1 Previous Studies on Chinese Versions of A Tale of Two Cities From data of Springer Link, there are only 33 essays on A Tale of Two Cities but none of them focus on its Chinese versions. In the meantime, the data of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) shows that there are 1516 essays studying A Tale of Two Cities but only 15 focus on its Chinese versions and 4 on the comparative analysis of different versions.Yu Ren (2013) contrast Sun Falis and Luo Jinans ShuangChengji in the corpus-based approach, and point out that Luo's translation is more faithful to the ST (source text) form and thus reflects the ST style compared with Sun's. D. D. Zhang (2015) contrasts Sun Falis, Song Zhaolins and Zhang Lings also in the corpus-based approach, concluding that Suns and Songs are better for modern readers because of their use of brief vocabulary and expressions. D. Zhang (2015) conducts a comparative analysis of Suns and Songs versions from the perspective of vocabulary, subordinators, modal particles, personal pronouns, the average sentences, concluding that Songs is better because its vocabulary and syntactic form are suited for modern readers and it retains the exotic flavor of ST cultural images by means of annotation. However, Suns excels at its use of short sentences and brief expressions that enable modern readers to comprehend the meanings of some old modal particles. L. Ye (2016) contrasts Song Zhaolins and Luo Jinans from the prospective of adaptation and selection theory, and summarizes that words and sentences in Songs are much more accessible to the target readers than those in Luos.1.2.2 Image translationImage refers to the use of language to express things, actions, feelings, ideas, mental states and sensory or extrasensory experiences. Opinions vary from person to person on image classification and general translation principals. In the monograph entitled Western Literary Theory and Chinese Literature, Zhou (2000) summarizes the classifications in ancient Chinese poems and western literature. Liao (1995) classifies images into three kinds in his An Exploration of Contemporary Western Translation Theory. The two scholars specific classification of images are listed in Table 1.Table 1 Classification of ImagesTranslators Coverage of Application ClassificationZhou Faxiang in ancient Chinese poems simple image; composite image in western literature natural image; personnel image; genie image visual image; auditory image; tactile image; synesthesia image decorative image; fallow image; strong image; basic image;delicate image; extending image, heavy and complicated imageLiao Qiyi In modern literature literal image; perceptual image; conceptual imageThis thesis will take Liao s image classification and analyze Song Zhaolins and Sun Falis ShuangChengji. On image translation, different translators have different translation methods. Liao (1995) gives more comprehensive principles on image translation in An Exploration of Contemporary Western Translation theory, which are summarized in five points: translate literally; replace with a corresponding image; retain images and compensate through interpretation; use domestication in translation; do not translate the ST image but retain its sense. These five points will be borrowed in this thesis to explore the image translation of Songs and Suns ShuangChengji.From the data of CNKI, there are 1428 essays focusing on image translation, with 959 on the cultural images in literary writings and 307 images in poems. However, only 4 essays study images in A Tale of Two Cities . Among them, D. Zhou (2020) studies the image of jail. Only L.X. Zhou (2016) explores the image translation in A Tale of Two Cities from the perspective of aesthetics by classifying images into four kinds: character, scenery, incident, and others, and assessing the image translation from three principles: appropriateness, beauty and compactness. However, few scholars study the image translation in the Chinese versions of A Tale of Two Cities under the guidance of Functional Equivalence Theory proposed by Eugene A. Nida. Therefore, this essay aims to figure out the important role that Functional Equivalence Theory can play in translating images by interpreting Songs and Suns ShuangChengji. This thesis may provide a reference for image translation in literary works as well as enrich the case study on Functional Equivalence Theory. 2. Nidas Equivalence Theory2.1 Definition and development The maturity of Nidas Equivalence Theory has experienced three periods. He first pointed out two types of equivalence in translation: Formal Equivalence and Dynamic Equivalence in Toward a Science of Translation (1964). Formal Equivalence focuses attention on the message itself, in both form and content (Nida, 1964). Dynamic Equivalence is defined as reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent to the source language message, first in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style (Nida, 1964: 163).As it is easy for some translators to misunderstand that they can translate the meaning freely without considering the form, Nida (1986) replaces Dynamic Equivalence with Functional Equivalence in From One Language to Another and points out that message not only consists of ideological contents but also language form. Considering that there is no criteria of equivalence, Nida puts forward two levels of Functional Equivalence: the minimal level and the maximal level. The minimum level is defined as the readers of a target language text should be able to comprehend it to the point that they can conceive of how the source language readers of the text must have understood and appreciated it and the maximum level as The readers of a target language text should be able to understand and appreciate it in essentially the same manner as the source language readers did (Nida, 1993: 118). The maximal level of equivalence is perfect, so is scarcely achieved; the minimal level of equivalence is the basic criteria and it is unacceptable if the translation cant reach this level. Style is nevertheless important, even though it is secondary to content. During the translating process, it is easy for the translator to meet such situation that he chooses content as opposed to form, meaning as opposed to style, equivalence as opposed to identity (Nida, 1964: 14). In order to meaningfully choose between these opposing sets, he must establish a set of priorities. In The Theory and Practice of Translation, Nida (1982) enumerates four priorities: (1) contextual consistency has priority over verbal consistency (or word-for-word concordance), (2) dynamic equivalence has priority over formal correspondence, (3) the aural (heard) form of language has priority over the written form, (4) forms that are acceptable to the audience have priority over forms that may be more traditionally prestigious. These four priorities perfectly deal with the dilemma translators most probably encounter. 2.2 Classification In this section, Formal Equivalence and Functional Equivalence will be expounded.2.2.1 Formal EquivalenceIn Formal Equivalence, translators tend to translate the ST form and content as literally and meaningfully as possible. They try to match the TL (target language) with the SL; therefore, the translation will become too stiff to understand. Take the sentence He had about as much chance of getting a job as of being chosen Mayor of Chicago. If it is translated into他找到工作的机会和当选芝加哥市长的机会差不多, the target reader may have difficulty in understanding 和当选芝加哥市长的机会差不多. Therefore, Nida says, If a more or less literal correspondence is functionally equivalent in both designative and associative meaning, then obviously no adjustments in form are necessary (1993: 125). It is worth pointing out that Nida doesnt deny the effect of Formal Equivalence. It can also be a reasonable translation if able to reach the closest natural equivalent to the SL. 2.2.2 Functional EquivalenceIn Functional Equivalence, the relationship between receptor and message should be substantially the same as that which existed between the original receptors and the message (Nida, 1964: 159) . For example, people wont understand the phrase white as snow if they have never met snow. Under this condition, we can change snow with other words such as frost, and we can even use a non-metaphor to express the concept white as snow, such as very, very white. Functional Equivalence aims at completing the closest naturalness of expression. In the sentence He had about as much chance of getting a job as of being chosen mayor of Chicago,他要找到工作简直跟要当选芝加哥市长一样困难reaches to the minimal level of Functional Equivalence, that is, The readers of a target language text should be able to comprehend it to the point that they can conceive of how the source language readers of the text must have understood and appreciated it (Nida, 1993: 118); 他找到工作的机会简直微乎其微reaches the maximal level of Functional Equivalence, that is, the readers of a target language text should be able to understand and appreciate it in essentially the same manner as the source language readers did (Nida, 1993: 118). Nida suggests that Functional Equivalence should be first considered and then Formal Equivalence. In his Toward a Science of Translation, he points out that there are five kinds of equivalence in the target language (1964: 168) as follows: Word equivalence means the meaning of words in SL should be expressed by correspondent words in TL. For example, if there is no noun for a word, we can translate it with a verb or others. Grammatical equivalence refers to the grammatical changes in the TT must suit the target readers, without impairing the meaning of SL, e.g. predicate nominatives need to agree with the subject in some languages. Semantic equivalence means that considering language environment the words or sentences in TT should express correspondent meanings in ST. e.g. swear words in one language may be based upon the perverted use of divine names, but in another language may be primarily excremental and anatomical. Discourse equivalence refers to the situation in which the ST discourse should be translated so that the target readers can comprehend the type of context, relevant background, SL and TL cultures. For example, some languages may require indirect quotations and others direct quotations. Cultural equivalence means that the ST correspondent cultural meanings should be expressed with the target culture. i.e. green color may represent envy in English butred color refers to envy in Chinese. The image translation in Songs and Suns ShuangChengji will be analyzed and examined as to whether it has achieved equivalence in this thesis. 2.3 Effects of and Related Studies on Functional Equivalence Functional Equivalence Theory has a worldwide influence in the translation field. It has injected new ideas and vitality into translation studies. Also, new concepts and methods have been introduced. Since the appearance of Nidas Functional Equivalence Theory in the 1950s, it has been introduced to the world and applied into a large variety of fields. In Germany, Wolfram Wilss wrote The Science of Translation: Problems and Methods under the guidance of Nidas Functional Equivalence Theory to train future translators in the University of Saarland. In America, under the guidance of Nidas Functional Equivalence Theory, John Beekman and John Callow worked together and finished Translating the Word of God in 1974. Mildred L. Larson wrote the book A Guide to Cross-Language Equivalence in 1984. Since the theory was introduced into China, translators in China have been heatedly discussing the theory. According to data from CNKI, there are 3171 essays about Nidas Equivalence Theory in China, which shows that the theorys great effect in China. Also, it encourages translators to exploit new translation methods. Jin Di applies Nidas theory to Chinese-English translation in his On Equivalent Translation (1986), innovates and develops Nidas theory. For instance, Jin Di distinguishes the two concepts impact and Response, believing the former emphasizes effect upon receptors, while the latter focuses on receptors reaction (1998: 18).References Dickens, C. (2004). A tale of two cities. Beijing: World Book Inc.Du, Y, J. (2017). Report on translation of autobiography from the perspective of Nidas equivalence theory (Doctoral dissertation). Yanshan University, Hebei.He, H, J. (2010). The dynamic equivalence translation of cultural images. Journal of Fujian Institute of financial administrators, 2，16-20.Lu, D. (2015). On E-C caption translation from Nidas Functional Equivalence Theory. Overseas English, 8, 122-124.Nida, E. A. (1964). Toward a science of translation. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.Nida, E. A., Taber, C. R. (1969). The theory and practice of translation. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Education Press.Nida, E. A., De Waard, J. (1986). From one language to another: Functional equivalence in Bible translation. Thomas: Nelson Incorporated.Nida, E. A. (1998). Language, culture and translation. Inner Mongolia: Inner Mongolia University Press.Ye, L. (2016).A contrastive study of two Chinese versions of A Tale of Two Cities from the perspective of translation as adaptation and selection. (Doctoral dissertation). Hubei University, Hubei.Zhang, D, D. (2015). A corpus-based study on the translation styles of three Chinese versions of A tale of two cities. (Doctoral dissertation). Liaocheng University, Shandong.Zhang, L, M. (2008). The development on Nidas translation theory by Jin Di and the applications to the literary practice-a case study of Ulysses. (Doctoral dissertation). Northeast Forestry University, Harbing.Zhou, L, X. (2016). Image translation of literary work from the perspective of translation aesthetics-taking the retranslated version of A tale of two cities. Journal of Shanxi Datong university (Social science edition), 6, 45-47.Zhou, Y, C. (2009). A comparative study of three Chinese versions of two cities from the perspective of socio-culture (Doctoral dissertation). Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai.Zhu, Y. (2019). Rethinking Eugene Nidas functional equivalence theory from terminology to theoretical basis. English on campus, 24, 247.狄更斯，查尔斯(2015)，《双城记》(A tale of two cities)，宋兆霖译。

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北京:中国宇航出版社。

郭建中（2000），《当代美国翻译理论》。

湖北：湖北教育出版社。

金隄 （1998），《等效翻译理论》。

北京：中国对外翻译出版公司。

连淑能(编)(2006)，《英译汉教程》。

北京:高等教育出版社。

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2. 研究的基本内容、问题解决措施及方案

1. Research Topic In this thesis, a comparative study of image translation in Sun Falis and Song ZhaolinsShuangChengji will be conducted from the perspective of Nidas Functional Equivalence Theory, with the purpose of deepening the application of Functional Equivalence to translation studies as well as helping readers appreciate the ingenious language charm in Dickens A Tale of Two Cities.2. Research Methods This paper will mainly employ these methods: text analysis, document research, comparative analysis and deduction. First, document research will review previous studies on Chinese versions of A Tale of Two Cities, Nidas Functional Equivalence theory, and image translation in Chapter 2. Second, text analysis in Chapter 3 will help the author of this thesis analyze why there are differences in image translation between the two Chinese versions under the guidance of Functional Equivalence Theory. Comparative analysis means a comparison of two things so as to point out the differences between them and analyze what causes such differences. In Chapter 3 image translation in the two versions will be compared in detail. Last, deduction will be used to draw a conclusion that Sun Falis version differs from Song Zhaolins under the framework of Functional Equivalence Theory.

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