The Study of the Children’s Literature Translation from the Perspective of Relevance Translation Theory—Based on the Translation of A Wrinkle in Time_英语论文

摘要

随着全球化的发展，越来越多的儿童文学作品引进中国，但其翻译及研究却不能满足当前需求。同时，出版商过分追求经济利益导致一些译作质量不高。本文分析了《时间的皱纹》的汉译本，旨在论述关联翻译理论在儿童文学翻译中的指导作用，所以笔者希望本文可以引起广大学者对儿童文学翻译的关注，从而进行深入研究。

基于格特的关联翻译理论，本文介绍了其中三个重要的概念：明示——推理、认知语境和语境假设、最佳关联，继而分析了汉译本《时间的皱纹》的语言风格和具体翻译技巧，发现译者遵循关联翻译理论并且结合儿童读者的特点，从而采用不同的翻译策略。

关键词: 儿童文学翻译  关联翻译理论  《时间的皱纹》

Abstract

With the development of globalization, numerous children’s literature has been introduced to China, but the translation cannot meet the children’s needs. Some publishers pursue merely economic interests, resulting in poor translation quality. Meanwhile, the theory and practice are out of step. The translations of children’s literature are constantly emerging, yet there are few related researches. This thesis analyzes the Chinese version A Wrinkle in Time, and aims to explain the guiding role of Relevance Translation Theory in children’s literature translation. Therefore, the author hopes that this thesis can arouse the in-depth study of children’s literature translation by scholars.

Based on Gutt’s Relevance Translation Theory, this thesis introduces three important concepts: ostensive-inferential, cognitive environment and contextual assumptions, optimal relevance, and then analyzes the Chinese version A Wrinkle in Time from two aspects: language style and specific translation skills. It shows that the translator takes into account the characteristics of children in the translation and adopts different translation strategies by following the theory of Relevance Translation.

Key words: children’s literature translation  Relevance Translation Theory  A Wrinkle in Time

Contents

Chapter One  Introduction 1

1.1  Research Background 1

1.2  Purpose of the Thesis 1

1.3  Research Methodology 2

1.4  Structure of the Thesis 2

Chapter Two  Literature Review 3  

2.1  Introduction 3

2.2  Children’s Literature Translation 3

2.3  Previous Studies on Children’s Literature Translation 4

2.3.1 Previous Studies on Children’s Literature Translation Abroad 4

2.3.2 Previous Studies on Children’s Literature Translation in China 5

2.4  Summary 8

Chapter Three  Theoretical Framework 9

3.1  Introduction 9

3.2  Relevance Translation Theory 9

3.2.1 The Ostensive-inferential Process in Translation 9

3.2.2 Cognitive Environment and Contextual Assumptions in Translation 10

3.2.3 Translation as a Process of Transferring Optimal Relevance 11

3.3  Summary 12

Chapter Four  Analysis of the Children’s Literature Translation of A

Wrinkle in Time 13

4.1  Introduction 13

4.2  A Wrinkle in Time 13

4.3  Ostensive Translation Skills in the Translation 14

4.3.1 Lexical Level 14

4.3.2 Syntactic Level 22

4.3.3 Rhetoric 27

4.4  Summary 29

Chapter Five  Conclusion 30

5.1  Major Findings 30

5.2  Limitations and Suggestions for Future Studies 31

Bibliography

Acknowledgements