Abstract

The thesis adopts the Skopostheorie as its theoretic framework and takes up the Chinese version of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian translated by Lu Qiuying as the target text to do a case study. On the basis of proving the possibility of studying the translator’s subjectivity from the perspective of the Skopostheorie, the thesis explores the demonstration of Lu Qiuying’s subjectivity under the restriction of the translation purpose, especially her subjectivity in choosing translation strategies and methods. By analyzing Lu Qiuying’s interpretation of the source text and her production of the target text, the thesis argues for the unique role of the translator in the translation process and highlights the status of the translator. 

The thesis draws the following major conclusions. Firstly, the thesis concludes that there is logical relation between the translation purpose and the translator’s subjectivity, which mainly lies in that the translation purpose can effectively promote the display of the translator’s subjectivity. Secondly, in order to make the target text a book of encouragement to young Chinese readers, Lu Qiuying chooses the domestication strategy and employs such translation methods as free translation, addition, omission, shift, syntax structure rearrangement, diction and concretization of functional words to make the Chinese version more acceptable and understandable to young Chinese readers. Thirdly, the consideration of the target readers restrict the display of the translator’s subjectivity to some extent. 

Key words: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian     Lu Qiuying’s Chinese version     the translator’s subjectivity     the Skopostheorie     domestication strategy      translation methods

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 The Purpose of the Research-1

1.2 The Significance of the Research-2

1.3 The Research Questions-2

1.4 The Overall Structure of the Thesis-3

Chapter Two Literature Review-4

2.1 The Translator’s Subjectivity-4

2.1.1 The Subject of Translation-4

2.1.2 The Subjectivity of Translation-5

2.1.3 The Overseas and Domestic Research Concerning the Translator’s Subjectivity-6

2.2 The Skopostheorie-7

2.2.1 The General Introduction to the Skopostheorie-7

2.2.2 Three Basic Terms-8

2.2.2.1 The Skopos-8

2.2.2.2 The Translation Brief-8

2.2.2.3 The Target Reader-8

2.2.3 The Three Rules of the Skopostheorie-9

2.2.3.1 The Skopos Rule-9

2.2.3.2 The Coherence Rule-10

2.2.3.3 The Fidelity Rule-10

2.2.3.4 The Relationship between the Three Rules-10

2.3 The Possibility of Studying the Translator’s Subjectivity within the Framework of the Skopostheorie-11

Chapter Three Methodology-13

3.1 Domestication-13

3.2 Translation Methods-14

3.2.1 Free Translation-14

3.2.2 Addition-14

3.2.3 Omission-14

3.2.4 Shift-15

3.2.5 Diction-15

3.2.6 Syntactical Adjustment: Combination, Division and Order Rearrangement-16

3.2.7 Concretization of Functional Words-16

Chapter Four A Case Study of Lu Qiuying’s Chinese Version of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian-17

4.1 A General Introduction to the Source Text and the Target Text-17

4.1.1 The Source Text and Its Author-17

4.1.2 The Target Text and Its Translator-17

4.1.3 The Main Purpose and the Target Reader of the Chinese Version-17

4.2 Case Analysis-18

4.2.1 Domestication Strategy-18

4.2.2 Application of Free Translation-20

4.2.3 Application of Addition-21

4.2.3.1 Adding Subjects-22

4.2.3.2 Adding Adjectives-22

4.2.3.3 Adding Adverbs-23

4.2.3.4 Adding Reasons-24

4.2.3.5 Adding Notes-25

4.2.4 Application of Omission-25

4.2.5 Application of Shift-27

4.2.6 Translation of Diction-30

4.2.7 Syntactical Adjustment-33

4.2.8 Concretization of Functional Words-35

4.3 Summary-37

Chapter Five Conclusion-38

5.1 Major Findings-38

5.2 Limitations-39

5.3 Recommendation-39

References-41