《了不起的盖茨比》中定语从句的翻译研究_英语论文

A Study on the Translation of Attributive Clauses in Chinese Versions of The Great Gatsby

摘要

定语从句作为英语最为常见的句式，使用范围极广，也是较为复杂的一类从句。英汉两种语言由于在形态和结构上存在着巨大的不同，因而能否处理好对定语从句的翻译，对传播优秀的文学作品显得尤为重要。定语从句由于其冗长复杂的句式特征、晦涩难懂的句子成分、以及迂回曲折的逻辑关系，对译者而言，是一种挑战，所以对定语从句的翻译研究很有必要。

本文以美国著名作家菲茨杰拉德的著作《了不起的盖茨比》中的定语从句为语料，以巫宁坤和李继宏两位译者翻译本书的定语从句为研究对象，以严复的“信达雅”为理论基础，从限制性定语从句和非限制性定语从句两个角度对定语从句的翻译方法和策略进行了探讨。研究发现，在“信”的层面上，巫译和李译都能做到忠实于原文，给读者以直观贴切的阅读体验；在“达”的层面上，巫译更能精确充分地表达作者之意，并在很大程度上做到译文与原文语言形式的对等；在“雅”的层面上，巫译的语言简短有力，符合汉语表达习惯，而李译则有些冗长和拖沓。就效果而论，巫译更受读者欢迎。

关键词：定语从句；翻译策略；信达雅；文学作品

Abstract

Among all the types of English clauses, attributive clause is the most complicated one, which is widely-used in literary works. Because there exist enormous differences in forms and structures between English and Chinese, it is of great significance in translating English attributive clauses into Chinese, which determines the translation quality of literary works. Owing to its complex and tedious sentence structure, obscure relations between its components and complex logical relation, it is a tremendous challenge for translators, both mentally and physically. Thus it is of paramount importance in researching on the translation of attributive clauses. 

This thesis, focusing on the attributive clauses of The Great Gatsby written by the American famous writer Francis Scott Fitzgerald, conducts a comparative study of the translation techniques adopted by Wu Ningkun and Li Jihong from the perspective of Yan’s three principles of translation (faithfulness, expressiveness, elegance). As for faithfulness, both versions are loyal to the original, providing a vivid experience for readers, while in terms of expressiveness, Wu’s version, to some extent, can better express what the author wanted to in sense and forms. As for elegance, Wu’s translation more accords with the Chinese habits of expressing ideas in a concise way, while Li’s seems to be tedious and lengthy. Therefore, from the perspective of effects, the version of Wu is more likely to gain more popularity among readers.

Key words: attributive clause translation; faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance; literary works