Abstract

Ah Q Zheng Zhuan is one of Lu Xun’s masterpieces. It has been translated into many languages, one of them is the English version by Lyell. However, the obscurity of the language in the original determines the difficulty of its translation. The style and quality of the target text are effected, to a large extent, by the interpretation of the source text, the choice of cultural standpoint and the motivation in translation. Thus, the translator’s subjectivity plays a very important role in the process of translation of Ah Q Zheng Zhuan. This thesis defines and explains the translator’s subjectivity and makes a thorough inquiry of the manifestation of Lyell’s subjectivity as well as the reason for which some translation strategies were adopted by Leyll(in comparison with Yang Xianyi & Gladys Yang’s version). This thesis concludes that proper subjectivity in the process of translation makes it more readable for the target readers. That explains why Lyell’s version enjoys so much popularity in Western countries.

Keywords:  Ah Q Zheng Zhuan  William A. Lyell  Translator’s subjectivity
 
摘要

《阿Q正传》是鲁迅的著作之一，已被翻译成多国语言，而莱尔的英译本就是其中之一。《阿Q正传》语言的特殊性决定了其翻译的困难。对原文的理解、文化立场的选择、翻译动机等都在很大程度上影响着译文的风格和质量。因此，译者主体性对《阿Q正传》的翻译过程有着很大的影响。本文分析译者主体性及其内涵，探讨莱尔的译者主体性的表现以及采取这些翻译策略的原因（通常与杨宪益、戴乃迭夫妇的译本作比较）。本文得出结论：译者主体性可以使译文更具可读性。这也解释了为何莱尔译本能够在西方国家如此受欢迎的原因。

关键词: 阿Q正传；威廉•莱尔；译者主体性

1.1 An Introduction to Lu Xun and His Works
Zhou Shuren, whose penname is Lu Xun, which is familiar to most Chinese people, was born in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province and lived in a period when China was confronted with domestic strife and foreign aggression. The social system was monarchy autocracy, inundated with cruelty and injustice, people’s complaints were heard everywhere. On the brink of historical changes, the instability rooted both in the imperial court and the common people. Therefore, China needed to be stronger in order to drive the Western Imperialist aggressors out of Chinese territory. Lu Xun had a high sensitivity of national affairs, and he was in deep hatred of the invaders. He spent most of his lifetime in writing, mainly for national awakening and people’s progress. His pen was a powerful weapon even sharper than guns and cannons. When he was alive, he played the role of a lighthouse, guiding perplexed Chinese youngsters to fight for a brighter future for their offsprings and progressive individuals found strength to rejuvenate our country from his books. He enjoyed the reputation of “nation’s soul” for his fighting in cultural aspect against enemies. Over the past decades, thousands of experts and scholars around the world have been studying his works from almost every possible angle, such as culture, psychology, arts, linguistics, the outlook of love and the attitude toward life. As far as his language was concerned, it was refined and meaningful, and it was a combination of vividness and emotions. It penetrated greatly to people’s hearts and conscience. In addition, Lu Xun himself was a master of the writing technique of satire. His satire is full of force and irresistibility, calmness and passion, sharpness and documentation. The acid and cynics existing in the language awakened the whole nation.