On the Translation of the Culture-loaded Words in To Live from the Perspective of Relevance Translation Theory_英语论文

摘要

语言是文化的载体。文化负载词通常是指在某种民族或地方文化中具有特定文化内涵的词。在大量文学作品中可以很容易地找到文化负载词。不同语言和文化之间存在的巨大差异和排他性必然会导致翻译问题。因此，研究文化负载词的翻译对世界文化的交流和传播具有重要意义。近年来，关联翻译理论越来越受到翻译界的关注。该理论的主要观点认为关联性是相对的，其强度取决于处理努力和语境效果。然而，关联翻译理论很少被应用于当代中国文学作品中文化负载词的翻译。本文旨在从关联翻译理论的视角下，分析余华小说《活着》中文化负载词的翻译，并总结一些主要的翻译方法。

关键词：文化负载词  关联翻译理论  《活着》

Abstract

Language is the carrier of culture. Culture-loaded words are generally regarded as words that convey a specific cultural connotation in a certain ethnic or local culture. And culture-loaded words can be easily found in a great amount of literary works. The discrepancy and exclusiveness of different languages and cultures inescapably lead to problems in translation. Therefore, the study of the translation of culture-loaded words is vital to the exchange and transmission of world culture. In recent years, Relevance Translation Theory has received more and more attention in the field of translation. The main point of the theory is that relevance is relative, and the degree of relevance depends on the processing effort and the contextual effects. However, Relevance Translation Theory is rarely applied to the translation of culture-loaded words in contemporary Chinese literary works. In the framework of Relevance Translation Theory, this thesis analyzes the translation of culture-loaded words in Yu Hua’s To Live, and summarizes some useful translation methods.

Key Word: culture-loaded words  Relevance Translation Theory  To Live

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  Previous Studies on Culture-loaded Words Translation 3

2.2.1 Previous Studies on Culture-loaded Words Translation Abroad 3

2.2.2 Previous Studies on Culture-loaded Words Translation Inland 4

2.3  Summary 6

Chapter There  Theoretical Framework 7

3.1  Introduction 7

3.2  Relevance Translation Theory 7

3.2.1 Translation as a Dual Ostensive-inferential Communication 8

3.2.2 Translation as a Process of Transferring Optimal Relevance 9

3.2.3 Cognitive Environment and Contextual Assumptions in Translation 10

3.3  Explanation of Relevance Translation Theory to the Translation of 

Culture-loaded Words 11

3.4  Summary 11

Chapter Four  Analysis of Culture-loaded Words Translation in To Live 12

4.1  Introduction 12

4.2  To Live 12

4.3  Characteristics of Culture-loaded Words 13

4.4  Ostensive Translation Skills of Culture-loaded Words in To Live 15

4.4.1 Addition 15

4.4.2 Annotation 18

4.4.3 Paraphrase 21

4.4.4 Substitution 23

4.5  Summary 24

Chapter Five  Conclusion 26

5.1  Major Findings 26

5.2  Limitations and Suggestions for Future Study 27

Bibliography

Acknowledgements