Luo Jingguos Gu Wen Guan Zhi: A Model Translation from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence罗经国版《古文观止》：功能对等理论视角下的典范译作文献综述

1．结合毕业设计（论文）课题情况，根据所查阅的文献资料，每人撰写2000字左右的文献综述：

1. Introduction

1.1 Research background

In the 19^th century, the important essays and references by Goethe (1814), Humboldt (1816), Novalis (1798), Schopenhauer (1851) and Nietzsche (1882) were more inclined toward literal translation; however, none of them established a systematic translation theory on its nature and methodology, i.e. some very significant contributions were made, but they never coalesced into a coherent, intersubjectively valid theory of translation (Wilss, 2001, p.56).

Eugene Albert Nida is one of the dominant figures among modern translation theorists. His translation theory is a comprehensive discussion of the basic aspects of translation: its relation to meaning and language, the definition of translation, principles of translation and the procedure or methodology of translation. His famous writings bring forth his important translation principle of dynamic equivalence (then developed into functional equivalence). Nida makes comments on the state of the traditional translation theories: The fundamental differences in translation theories may be stated in terms of two conflicting poles: (1) literal vs. free translating; and (2) emphasis on form vs. concentration on content, Rarely are these conflicting views analyzed in detail or the implications of such principles worked out carefully in actual practice (2004, pp.22-23). Recognizing the problematic nature of translational theories, Nida puts forward his theories of translation. In his famous book Language and Culture: Contexts in Translating, everything in one language can be said in another, and the form of the original message should be adapted to target language and culture in order to communicate the meaning of messages effectively, that is, a translation is intended to be understood by the receptors. All in all, Nidas new concept of translation is expressed in the following statement: Translating consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source message, first in terms of meaning and second in terms of style (Nida and Taber, 2004, p.12).

Nidas translation theory has undoubted impact on the translation research throughout the world. Professor Tan Zaixi once evaluated: Nidas theoretical contribution helps to create a new style of treating different cultures in different languages to promote the exchange and communication in the world (1984, p.102). In particular, the influence of his functional equivalence has broadened our vision, showed us a new method of translation, liberalized our minds and helped us overcome mechanism. Functional equivalence theory is well-applied in various types of texts such as advertisements, political and legal passages, poetry and literature, thus worth analyzing in a concrete text.

Gu Wen Guan Zhi (《古文观止》), compiled around 1695, consists of essays from pre-Qin period to the end of Ming Dynasty, altogether about 222 essays. It was edited by Wu Chucai and Wu Diaohou in early Qing Dynasty, which are the cream of Chinese prose in ancient China. The Chinese characters Guan Zhi means a collection of essays on the highest level among other Chinese classical articles and the book was also one of official references for ancient students eager to be enrolled into government office through the imperial examination. It contains the prose of all types, some of which are convincing or lyrical, some descriptive or praising.

Professor Luo Jingguo comes from Beijing University. He only selected 32 from 古文观止 and translated them into English in 2005, hoping to give a full presentation to readers around the world, which shows his mastery as a translator．The 32 essays include The First Memorial to the King Before Setting Off for War, A Letter to His Majesty, Prologue to the Collection of Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion, Going Home, Tale of the Fountain of Peach Blossom Spring, Master Five Willows, A Tribute to King Tengs Tower, A Letter to Han Jingzhou, Entertainment Given in the Peach and Plum Garden on a Spring Evening, An Epigraph in Praise of My Humble Home, On the Teacher, An Elegiac Address to the Twelfth Nephew, An Epitaph for Liu Zihou, The Snake Catcher, The Life of Camel Guo, The House Builder, Prologue to the Foolish Creek Poem, Shijun Weis New Hall in Yongzhou, The Hillock to the West of Gumu Pond, Mountain of the Little Rock City, The Pavilion of Plenty and Happiness, The Yueyang Tower, The Bamboo Pavilion in Huanggang, The Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man, Ode to the Sound of Autumn, An Epitaph Inscribed on the Memorial Tablet at the Path Leading to the Tomb in Shuanggang, The Timely Rain Pavilion, The Towering Terrace, The Stone Bell Mountain, The First Ode on the Red Cliff, The Second Ode on the Red Cliff and What the Orange Vendor Said. Therefore, Luos version of Gu Wen Guan Zhi will be analyzed under the framework of Nidas Functional Equivalence.

1.2 Need for the study

Up to now, little attention seems to have been paid to the study of Luo Jingguos version of Gu Wen Guan Zhi and a lot of mysteries are required to be solved, which gives wonderful opportunities for us to explore it from a new perspective. Therefore, this thesis aims to prove that Luos is the model version from the perspective of Nidas functional equivalence. This study is bound to inspire scholars to form new perspectives of examining some classical Chinese essays as well as enhancing a thorough understanding towards Nidas functional equivalence. Besides, the author of this thesis hopes more and more relevant studies can appear like mushrooms afterwards.

2. Literature Review

2.1 Functional equivalence

The concept of functional adequacy in translating has been described in a number of books and articles as dynamic equivalence. In Nidas Toward a Science of Translating (2003), dynamic equivalence has been treated in terms of the closest natural equivalent, but the term dynamic has been misunderstood by some people. Accordingly, many individuals think that if a translation has considerable impact, then it must be a correct example of dynamic equivalence. Because of this misunderstanding and in order to emphasize the concept of function, it seems much more satisfactory to use the expression functional equivalence in describing the degrees of adequacy of translation (Nida, 2001). Dynamic equivalence is therefore defined in terms of the degree in which the receptors of the message in the receptor language respond to it in substantially the same manner as the receptors in the source language (Nida，2004) .

The adequacy of a translation depends on a great many different factors: the reliability of the text itself, the discourse type, the intended audience, the manner in which the translated text is used, and the purpose for which the translation has been made, a fact which only complicates any evaluation of a translation. In general, it is proper to speak highly of functional equivalence in terms of a range of adequacy, since no translation is ever completely equivalent. That means that equivalence can be understood in terms of proximity, i.e. on the basis of degrees of closeness to functional identity.

As to functions, at least two exact points leave us deep thinking. From the very nature of functional equivalence, we translators have the correct standard of what a good target text is ----the readers will comprehend and conceive the text as the original readers may do. Anything less than this degree of equivalence should be unacceptable. Besides, under the ideal conditions, readers will have essentially the same way of understanding the translated text as original reads do, which is hard to achieve and realize (Nida 2001). It gives me a clear idea of what the functional equivalence means; therefore, this thesis will examine Luos version with the aid of this translation theory in details.

2.2 Previous studies on Luo Jingguos Gu Wen Guan Zhi

Luo Jingguos 2005 version Gu Wen Guan Zhi has drawn many scholars attraction. Wang Qian (2009) makes a very elaborate interpretation of its beauty and translation techniques in Teng Wang Ge xu, and sharply points out such techniques as allusions, parallel sentences, logic relationships, conversion of part of speech, etc. On the score of reflection of original beauty of Chinese essays, not only does Xuan Zhifeng (2012) speak highly of Luos Gu Wen Guan Zhi but clearly state the limitations in terms of its rhetoric devices and prosy beauty. Besides, Zheng Qiong (2013) deems Luos version as adequate renderings from the perspective of stylistic correspondence. He also gives us the full explanation of disadvantages of Luos in terms of the deficiency of original beauty lying in classic Chinese essays. However, these two scholars arguments lack concrete examples on limitations of Luos. They should prove their points of view by studying one specific aspect of beauty.

Quite a few scholars show great interest in the comparative study of different translated versions in the aspect of cultural equivalence by interpreting Lan Ting Ji Xus various translated versions by Lin Yutang, Xie Baikui, Sun Dayu and Luo Jingguo. Dong Xiaoguang (2011) says that Luos translation conveys particular cultural code and makes the exact correspondent in the process (the first one of the three main semantic scopes is in transitivity, and the other two are participant and circumstantial element). Besides, with Nidas functional equivalence, he proves intextuality embodied in the process i.e. translated sentences are semantically equivalent, which gives me a hint to start my thesis; however, he does not make an in-depth study. Anyway, He provides us with a new method in appreciating different versions. Similarly, Ding Jianfang (2013) believes that among the translated versions by Luo Jingguo, Lin Yutang and American Sinologist James Hightower, Luos bridges the communication and cultural gap between the east and the west. Based on Peter Newmarks theory of communicative translation and semantic translation, she briefly explains how these are correctly applied in translation versions. Indeed, her perspective leaves rich imagination and keen interest for some scholars.

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