Abstract

 This paper aims to investigate metaphor translation in light of German functionalist translation, especially the strategy of documentary translation. Within this aim, the Fortress Besieged is taken as a case to study for its abundant resources of metaphor. The theoretic basis is unfolded according to four major figures with their theories, and they are Katharina Reiss and Functional Category of Translation Criticism, Hans.J.Vermeer and Skopos Theory, Justa Holz-Manttari and The theory of Translational Action, Christiane Nord and Function Plus Loyalty. The research method mainly focuses on text analysis, which is divided into three parts according to different translation methods adopted among literal translation, philological translation and exoticizing translation. It comes to a conclusion that according to the metaphor translated by Kelly and Mao, their Skopos to arouse target reader’s attention to the book and to the Chinese culture, achieves a success, while Skopos to reproduce the aesthetic effect needs more caution. If the text receiver fails to understand the translation, it is suggested to replace the exoticizing translation to philological translation, so that the function of the translation would be achieved. It is also concluded that the translators succeed in interpersonal interaction following the theory of translational action with the principle of loyalty being taken into consideration.

Keywords: Metaphor translation, Fortress Besieged, German functionalist translation theory, Documentary translation

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1.Introduction-7

2. A Literature Review of Metaphor-8

2.1 Metaphor and Metaphor Translation-8

2.1.1 Studies on Metaphor in the West-8

2.1.2 Studies on Metaphor in China-9

2.1.3 Studies on Metaphor Translation-9

2.2 Metaphor in Fortress Besieged-10

2.2.1 Introduction of Wei-ch'eng-10

2.2.2 Critiques of the Translation in China-10

2.2.3 Overseas Critiques of the Translation-10

2.2.4 The Role of Metaphor in Fortress Besieged-11

3.Functionalist Translation Theory and its Account of Metaphor Translation-12

3.1 German Functionalist Translation Theory-12

3.1.1 Katharina Reiss and Functional Category of Translation Criticism-12

3.1.2 Hans.J.Vermeer and Skopos Theory-12

3.1.3 Justa Holz-Manttari and The theory of Translational Action-12

3.1.4 Christiane Nord and Function Plus Loyalty-13

3.2 Documentary Translation as an Important Translation Strategy in German Functionalist Translation Theory-14

3.3 German Functional Translation Account of Metaphor Translation-14

4. An Analysis of Metaphor Translation in Fortress Besieged-15

4.1 The Concept of Translation Strategy-15

4.2 The Strategy of Metaphor Translation in Fortress Besieged-16

4.2.1 Literal Translation-16

4.2.2 Philological Translation-17

4.2.3 Exoticizing Translation-19

4.3 Metaphor Reproduced in the English Version-20

5. Conclusions-20

References-21