Abstract

In the field of translation, there are always philosophical rules behind all translation theories. 

The modern Western translation theories, especially those who believe in the structural linguistics of de Saussure and Levi-Straules, are based on the traditional Western philosophical ideas of logocentrism. Logocentrism goes after “one center, one original and one absolute truth”. However , the deconstructionists led by Jacques Derrida questioned this logocentrism, attempting to prove the pluralism, the non-centricity and non-absolute authority of the text world. The deconstructionism has showed its influence on translation since 1990---theories based on this idea illustrate no ultimate meaning and core for the texts and regard that text itself is open to all possible interpretations all the time. The original text and the translation share inter-textuality, the meaning of which is mutually supplementary since the meaning of the text is undeterminable. According to the theory, the status of original writer is overthrown, and that of translator is raised up.  Though the deconstruction has got its birth for nearly forty years and has influenced translation studies a lot, and that it has achieved both critics and praises, there is little systematic research into it and its translation ideas from the tactic level, and this is exactly the rationale why this essay is written. This essay aims to break up narrow-minded and short-sighted worldview, meaning to endow deconstruction and its translation strategies an objective and systematic analysis. Beginning with principles followed by contemporary Western and Chinese translation theories, this essay points out that both domestic and abroad traditional translators have the awareness of obeying the original text. What is more, it also illustrates that although deconstruction seems to oppose the traditional Western philosophical ideas, to some extent, it brings inspirations to Chinese translation studies as well. The essay introduces some background knowledge concerning deconstruction together with the reviews of studies done in this domain both abroad and in China, and uses this theory to analyze three versions of Chinese translation of   several poems in Shakespeare’sl Sonnets. 

Key Words: deconstruction  translation  Sonnets

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1.-Introduction-1

1.1-Background of the Research-1

1.2-Purpose and Significance of the Research-2

1.3-Methodology of the Research-2

2.-Literature Review-3

2.1-A Review of Deconstruction-3

2.2-A Review of Translation Studies of Shakespeare’s Sonnets-3

3.-A Case Study on Three Chinese Versions of Sonnets-4

3.1-General Introduction to Translators’ Profiles and Translations-4

3.1.1-Profile of Tu An and His Translation-5

3.1.2-Profile of Cao Minglun and His Translation-5

3.1.3-Profile of Liang Shiqiu and His Translation-5

3.2-Comparative Study of the Three Chinese Versions of Shakespeare Sonnets from the Perspective of Deconstruction-6

3.2.1-Original Text as the Object-6

3.2.2-Translators as the Subject-9

4.-Conclusions-10

4.1-Summary and Major Findings-10

4.2-Limitations and Implications-11

References-12