Abstract

This study explores the realization of functional equivalence in children's literature translation through a comparative analysis of two Chinese versions of The Nightingale and the Rose. Unlike traditional translation theory, Eugene Nida’s principle of Functional Equivalence offers a new criteria for translation criticism and evaluation. A good translation is the one which achieves a translation that is the closest natural equivalent of the original message, rather than simply formal equivalence. That is to say, the translation must induce a close equivalence of response between the source language readers and the target language readers. 

As a branch of literature, children's literature has the common characteristics of literature and bears its own unique features: vivid and easily understood, which can help to promote children's initial development of mentality and intelligence unconsciously. The Nightingale and the Rose is a masterpiece of Oscar Wilde; it tells a graceful fairy tale about love, bringing to the children the first experience of love. This study explores the realization of functional equivalence through a comparative analysis of Ba Jin's and Lin Huiyin’s Chinese versions at the levels of meaning, style and culture. Ba’s version achieves the highest functional equivalence, especially at the level of style. By contrast, with strong personal style and characteristics of the Republican period, Lin’s version is difficult for the children to read and comprehend, thus is of the least functional equivalence. Besides, for both translators fail to understand the original texts completely, their versions mislead the readers as to meanings and cultural interpretations.

The present author concludes that in order to achieve functional equivalence, translators must have an acute sensitivity to children’s language, rich imagination, cultural background and responsibility for the healthy development of the young generation. 

Key words: functional equivalence, children’s literature, The Nightingale and the Rose, translation strategy

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One  Introduction-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Research purpose and significance-1

1.3 Organization of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two  Literature Review-3

2.1 An overview of Chinese Children’s Literature Translation-3

2.1.1 Definition of Children’s Literature-3

2.1.2 Features of Children’s Literature-4

2.1.3 Development of Children’s Literature-5

2.2 Previous Studies on the Nightingale and the Rose-5

2.2.1 A Brief introduction of The Nightingale and the Rose-5

2.2.2 Previous Studies on the Nightingale and the Rose-6

Chapter Three  Theoretical Framework-8

3.1 An Overview of Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory-8

3.2 The Three Main Factors-9

3.2.1 Meaning Level-9

3.2.2 Style Level-9

3.2.3 Cultural Level-10

3.3 The Applicability of Functional Equivalence to The Nightingale and the Rose-10

Chapter Four  An Analysis of the Nightingale and the Rose-12

4.1 Meaning Equivalence-12

4.2 Stylistic Equivalence-14

4.3 Cultural Equivalence-17

Chapter Five  Conclusion-21

5.1 Major Findings-21

5.2 Implications for the Translation of Children’s Literature-21

5.3 Limitations of the Present Study-22

5.4 Suggestions for Further Research-22

References-24