Looking at the foreign translation of Chinese literature from a comparative and developmental perspective
December 17, 2021 09:18 Source: "Chinese Social Sciences Journal" Issue 2311 on December 17, 2021 Author: Liu Yunhong

 Translation,Plays an indispensable role in cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries。Chinese culture must “go out”,The foreign translation of Chinese literature is of special importance,Issues related to the translation and dissemination of Chinese literature abroad have received special attention from academic circles and society。At the same time,The necessity of proactive foreign translation of Chinese literature、Methods of foreign translation of Chinese literature and issues such as the acceptance of foreign translation of Chinese literature,No matter within the translation academic community,Still in the literary world、Cultural Circle,There are different and even contradictory views。There is a loud voice in the translation field and the media,Questioning the principle of fidelity in translation,Based on the success of translation by American translator Grant Howard,Advocates updating the concept of translation,Adopting the strategy of “continuous translation with modification” in the foreign translation of Chinese literature。Under some kind of "acceptance anxiety",Some scholars even emphasize that the choice of translation strategy should be guided by the acceptance mentality of overseas readers。There are contrasting views in literary criticism,Thinks that Gerald's translation and rewriting is a dishonest act,Equivalent to deceiving foreign readers。Other translation scholars proposed,Don’t make Gerald’s translation methods absolute or modular,We cannot overemphasize the decisive role of reader acceptance in literary translation,And this leads to the acceptance-only theory in the foreign translation of Chinese literature,It is necessary bet365 best casino games to rationally explore the issues of translation methods based on the stages and imbalances of cultural acceptance and the fundamental demands of foreign translation of Chinese literature。

How to grasp the important value of Chinese literature translation,Further clarify the relevant understanding of Chinese literature foreign translation,Urgently needs in-depth thinking and discussion from the field of translation。The author thinks,Looking at the foreign translation of Chinese literature,Should have a perspective of comparison and development。First,To build a comparative perspective between "Chinese translation into foreign countries" and "foreign language translation into Chinese"。In the context of the new era,“Chinese-foreign translation” has become an increasingly important translation direction,A new trend of "Chinese to foreign language" and "foreign language to Chinese" going hand in hand is gradually taking shape,Some scholars have keenly pointed out that this is a "fundamental change" taking place in the field of translation in today's era。To this,The translation academic community should fully realize the real differences between the translation behaviors in two different directions: "Chinese to foreign language" and "foreign language to Chinese",Change research ideas in a timely manner,Pay attention to and grasp the new phenomena emerging in the process of foreign translation of Chinese literature、New question,Carry out theoretical discussions from multiple levels。But,We know,Translation activity is a two-way communication involving two languages,In culture、History、Under the influence of various factors such as society and ideology,There must be some differences between translation in and translation out,For this objectively existing difference,The translation industry cannot ignore it,But it should not be exaggerated。Comparison,Easy to find,The fundamental translation issues involved bet365 Play online games in "Chinese to foreign language" and "foreign language to Chinese" are to a large extent common,They can also learn from each other。Take Ge Haowen’s translation as an example,He adopted abridgements based on reader acceptance、Translation strategies such as modification,This is not uncommon in the history of Chinese literary translation,The most representative one is Lin Shu’s translation。In view of the certain similarities between Grant Haowen and Lin Shu in terms of translation strategies and concepts,The translation scholar community can learn from relevant research results on Lin Shu’s translation,Based on the essential attributes and fundamental goals of translation,A more reasonable view of Grantham’s translation strategies from the perspective of historical development,Thus trying to avoid some one-sided understanding。

Secondly,To build a comparative perspective on English translation and non-English translation of Chinese literature。Overall,Currently, the focus and discussion of “Chinese-foreign translation” in the field of translation studies mainly focuses on the translation and introduction of Chinese literature in the English-speaking world,Many opinions are derived from the investigation of translation behavior in this direction。The reason why Ge Haowen's "continuous translation with modification" translation method is highly respected,Even with the help of the media, it is almost regarded as the only model for the successful translation and introduction of Chinese literature,A very important reason is that Ge Haowen adopts the domestication translation strategy to translate modern and contemporary Chinese literature,And promoted Chinese literature to be more ideally accepted and spread in the United States and even the entire Western world。Actually,The choice of translation strategy is the result of the joint interaction of subjective and objective factors,It not only reflects bet365 best casino games the translator’s concept of translation,It is also closely related to the cultural context of the target country and the tradition of accepting foreign literature。Examine the translation and introduction of Chinese literature in non-English speaking worlds such as France,You will find that France is also one of the important places in the world for the translation and acceptance of Chinese literature,The French translations of some Chinese literary works even preceded their English translations,But most French translators advocate following the principle of fidelity in translation,For example, one of the most important French translators of contemporary Chinese literature、The French translator Duteret made it clear that he "always strives to be as faithful a translator as possible"。This is not only due to Duterai’s ethical translation stance of “respecting the starting language as much as possible”,Also because France has its own profound literary tradition,And a high degree of openness and acceptance of foreign cultures。In view of this,In the process of understanding and discussing the foreign translation of Chinese literature,If the field of translation studies could broaden its horizons,Consciously conduct a comparative study on the translation and introduction of Chinese literature in the English-speaking world and the non-English-speaking world,Comprehensive analysis of various complex factors affecting translation activities,It will help break down some absolute concepts。

As a representation and construction of cultural relations,Translation in the collision of two languages ​​and cultures、The process of integration will inevitably show profound historicity。Rational understanding of Chinese literature and foreign translation,More than just a comparative perspective,Inseparable from the vision of development。

Development,means the continuous expansion of translation paths。In the context of the new era,International cultural exchanges are more frequent and in-depth,The richness and complexity of translation bet365 live casino games are also becoming increasingly prominent。The translation academic community should shift from a one-way perspective that mainly focused on "foreign-to-Chinese translation" to a two-way perspective that pays equal attention to "foreign-to-Chinese translation" and "Chinese-to-foreign translation",Comprehensive consideration of translation activities in cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries,From values ​​and ethics、Patterns and methods、Subject and content、Acceptance and dissemination, etc.,Expand multiple perspectives on the foreign translation of Chinese literature、Multiple levels of discussion,Deeply concerned about the changes in translation paths and the update of the entire translation field brought about by this change。We must not only pay attention to ways of cultural exchange、Patterns and methods,We need to have a deeper understanding of the stance and fundamental demands of literary translation。

Development,means the long-term pursuit of the fundamental goal of translation。Chinese literature “going global” is not a certain writer、The appeal of a certain work,It is not the appeal of a certain social group or a certain literary category,It’s not just “expediency” or “catering” for one thing or another,We should go to the world with Chinese culture、The fundamental goal is to have equal exchange and dialogue with other foreign cultures。To achieve such a goal,We must overcome the utilitarian nature of translation,I hope that Chinese literature will be accepted as soon as it is translated、It is not advisable to only consider the current reader acceptance or to have an eagerness for success such as "going out" for the sake of "going out"。The objective laws of translation and communication activities,Still Chinese literature and culture are relatively marginalized in the world,Tell us all,It is not realistic to accept it overnight or once and for all。In the current foreign translation and introduction of Chinese literature,Abridged for bet365 Play online games consideration of context and readers、Translation methods such as retranslation are reasonable and even necessary to a certain extent,But any staged translation models and methods will change with the language、Culture、Changes due to the evolution of factors with significant characteristics of the times, such as society。Therefore,From the perspective of historical development,The foreign translation of Chinese literature should become a long-term pursuit based on the essential demands of translation。

Development,means in-depth exchanges of multiculturalism in the world。Translation is a dynamic process with generative nature as its essential feature。As long as the times are developing,The various relationships and conditions on which translation is based are also changing,The accumulation of conditions and the evolution of relationships provide direct possibilities for the occurrence and growth of translation。In terms of foreign translation of Chinese literature,The in-depth cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries continue to expand the possible space for translation,Making the impossible of translation possible,Turn the possibility of translation into reality,Thus gradually promoting Chinese literature to better “go out”。In reverse,In the process of its own growth, translation has further broken down cultural barriers with its unique open spirit,Promote Chinese literature and culture to the world,Open a dialogue with foreign civilizations,Enrich yourself in the collision and integration of self and others,Thus promoting in-depth exchanges of multiculturalism in the world。History has proven to us time and time again,The road of translation from isolation to openness and communication,It is to maintain the diversity of human culture、The only way to promote the development of human civilization。No doubt,The foreign translation of Chinese literature is shouldering such a historical mission。

(Author’s unit: School of Foreign Languages, Nanjing University)

Editor: Chang Chang
QR code icon 2.jpg
Highly recommended
Latest article
bet365 live casino games

Friendly links: Official website of bet365 Play online games Chinese Academy of Social Sciences |

Website registration number: Beijing Public Network Security No. 11010502030146 Ministry of Industry and Information Technology:

All rights reserved by China Social Sciences Magazine. No reproduction or use without permission is allowed

Chief editor’s email: zzszbj@126.com Contact information of this website: 010-85886809 Address: Floor 11-12, Building 1, No. 15 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing Postal Code: 100026