顺应论视角下《红楼梦》章回标题的英译研究_英语论文

On C-E Translation of Chapter Titles in Hong Lou Meng from the Perspective of Adaptation Theory

摘要

顺应论作为语用学的重要分支，被广泛应用于翻译研究中。维索尔伦指出语言的使用过程就是语言为顺应不同的交际目的和交际对象进行动态选择的过程。《红楼梦》是章回体小说的典型代表之一。其章回标题词汇上较多使用名词；句法上多使用特殊词序，多省略主语和介词，重视停顿；修辞上多用借代和对仗。能明确概括每一回的主要内容，具有提纲挈领的作用。

选题结合顺应论，通过对比分析霍克斯和杨宪益翻译的《红楼梦》章回标题在选词、句法结构、修辞等层面中出现的顺应现象，探究章回标题的英译，指出顺应理论在译者翻译《红楼梦》章回标题过程中具有指导作用。研究后发现，两译本都不同程度地实现了语言的顺应，其顺应的内容主要包括顺应译入语读者的文化、译入语读者的语言理解能力、语言审美、译入语的语法、章回标题的故事内容等。

关键词: 顺应论；《红楼梦》；章回标题；英译

Abstract

Adaptation Theory, as an important branch of pragmatics, is widely used in translation. It is firstly put forward by Jef Verschueren. He points out that using language is a process in which language makes dynamic selection to adapt to different communicative purposes and objectors. Hong Lou Meng is one of the most typical representatives of chapter-title novels. In terms of chapter titles of Hong Lou Meng, in lexis, many nouns are employed; in syntax, special word order is adopted and the chapter titles often omit the subjects and preposiyions and emphasizes the pause in rhythm; in rhetoric, various rhetorical devices like metonymy and antithesis are often applied to chapter titles. The chapter titles can clearly summarize the main contents of each chapter. 

Combined with Adaptation Theory, this thesis contrasts and analyzes two English versions of Hong Lou Meng translated by David Hawkes and translator Yang Xianyi. It explores the C-E translation of chapter titles in Hong Lou Meng from aspects of lexis, syntax, and rhetoric, etc. and points out that Adaptation Theory plays a guiding role in the process of the translation. After the research, it’s clear that the two versions both achieve language adaptation at different levels. They mainly adapt to the culture, comprehension, and aesthetic tastes of the target readers, the grammar of the target language, and contents of the story, etc.. 

Keywords:  Adaptation theory  Hong Lou Meng  Chapter Title  C-E Translation 

Contents

Acknowledgements I

Abstract II

摘要 III

Chapter One Introduction 1

1.1 The Purpose and Significance of the Study 1

1.2 The Structure of the Thesis 2

Chapter Two Literature Review 3

2.1 Studies on Adaptation Theory at Home and Abroad 3

2.2 Studies on C-E Translation of Chapter Titles 4

Chapter Three Linguistic Features of Hong Lou Meng’s Chapter Titles 5

3.1 Lexical Features 5

3.2 Syntactical Features 5

3.3 Rhetorical Features 7

Chapter Four Adaptation in the Translation of Chapter Titles in Hong Lou Meng 8

4.1 Lexical Adaptation 8

4.2 Syntactical Adaptation 9

4.3 Rhetorical Adaptation 10

Chapter Five Conclusion 12

References 13