Translation Study ： Perspective of Chinese Literature and Culture

【Abstract】Culture is a significant symbol of a nations soft power. Every nation wants to break the limits of boundary and region to spread its literature and culture in the world. Only when the cultural concept and value are spread and recognized by the international society can the countrys culture become the real soft power. However， cultural communication is not an ideal process. To get rid of the predicament of being subject to other countries， the writer came up with several methods to proactively disseminate Chinese culture.

【Key words】Chinese literature； culture translation； translatability； translation methods.

【作者簡介】汪卓娅（1995-），女，汉族，湖南浏阳人，江西财经大学翻译专业2017级硕士研究生，研究方向：英语笔译/口译。

I. Current Situation and Prospect of Chinese Culture and Literary Translation

The essence of language and literature is culture. Translating Chinese culture is an important method to disseminate Chinese culture. Nevertheless， the imported books in China are mainly from western countries. From 1900 to 2010， nearly 100，000 western books have been translated into Chinese while only less than 500 Chinese books are introduced to China. Each year China imports around 150 books from the United States while less than 10 books are introduced to China.

In recent years， Mo Yan， Han Shaogong and Yang Mu have won the United States Newman Prize for Literature. Besides， Mo Yan won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2012. It can be seen that a batch of Chinese writers have done well in the western literature world and their work have been translated and disseminated continually. Therefore， some people may think that Chinese literature has entered into the world. However， another fact should also be kept in mind， that is， nowadays， more than 70% of book copyright export flows into Hongkong， Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

Chinese and foreign exports including Ge Haowen and Ma Yueran pointed out that Chinese translation literature enjoys little sale and reputation in western countries especially in English speaking countries. Expert Wang once said “If the sale volume of a Chinese translation work can reach 2，000 to 3，000 in the United states and European countries， it is fairly good and successful. ” Jiang Fangzhou once siad“the work of foreign writers like the Japanese writer Murakama sells quite well. Even in a small country like Norway， the sales volume can reach 100，000 while the translation work of Chinese book can reach little people in foreign countries. ” Hence， it is urgent for Chinese literature to go out and go global which in turn requires the translation study of Chinese literature.

II. Analysis the reasons from the success of Mo Yans work

2.1 The Influence of Contextual Culture on Chinese Literary Translation

Mo Yans novels are translated by well-known sinologists and translators. In terms of language proficiency， there are a lot of translators in China who are as good as foreign translators. But they enjoy advantages in terms of subtle linguistic habits， unique language preference and subtle aesthetic taste of target readers. Thats why Chinese literature which is translated by foreign translators better meet target readers requirement. Some people may not fully understand this. They think that foreign translators can not understand the original text as well as Chinese translators and can not compete with Chinese translators in terms of expression.

2.2 Cultural Transposition

There is the fact that Chinese readers receive foreign literature and culture through the translation of Chinese translators instead of foreign translators. For example， when two versions of Balzacs novel are presented to you with one translated by a French sinologist and another translated by Fu Lei， which one would be better option？ Indeed， the latter overwhelm the first one. Practically speaking， most countries and nations in the world receive foreign literature and culture by the translation of native translators， which is a fundamental rule in literature， culture and transnational translation.

2.3 Cultural Substitution and Translatability

The third reason brought by Moyans success comes from the translatability of the work itself and the cultural substitution of the translation. The “translatability” here does not refer to the degree of difficulty. It considers whether the original style， creation style and the original taste can be transferred or not. It focuses on the understanding and acceptance of the target readers. For example， some novels are known for their unique style and secular language which impress Chinese readers most. Nonetheless， the translated version barely has the secular language and foreign readers can not have the same feelings as Chinese readers. The translation version of Mo Yans work not only meet the literature standard of western society but also conforms to western expectation for Chinese literature. Therefore， a conclusion can be drawn that the work that can be well accepted in foreign countries should be translated first when translating Chinese literature and Chinese culture.

2.4 In-Coming Translation and Out-Coming Translation

The forth reason is the strategy taken between in-coming translation and out-coming translation. Few attention is paid to the two kinds of translation due to the misunderstanding of the essence of translation. In-coming translation is a translation activity in which a country or a nation has a strong desire for foreign literature and culture. And out-coming translation is another translation activity in which a country or a nation voluntarily translation its own literature and culture to foreign countries and people in these countries may not have enough interest in it. Therefore， in terms of in-coming translation， the initiator of the translation and translators only need to focus on how to achieve faithfulness， expressiveness and elegance while translating without considering other elements that may impact translation effect. For them， a “qualified work” can win both readers， markets and even influence in some degree.

III. Conclusion

Through the narration and statement above， the author thinks that apart from translation skills and method， the effect of translated Chinese literature and culture matters most. To achieve this， there are several methods listed above.

Firstly， great attention must be paid to sinologists. Although they may make some mistakes or omit some important points while translating Chinese literature and classics due to the incomprehensive understanding of Chinese culture， they know better than Chinese translators in terms of understanding target readers interests and expectations. Besides， foreign literature work that Chinese readers read is translated by Chinese translators rather than sinologists. Thats because Chinese translators know what Chinese readers expect. Many Chinese readers like to read Fu Leis translation work because of its domestic flavor and taste. A foreign sinologist may understand better than Fu Lei in terms of the comprehension of the original text， but his Chinese version may seem to be a little strange to Chinese readers. Therefore， foreign sinologists must be encouraged to play their role in the dissemination of Chinese literature and culture.

Secondly， Chinese government should set up a special fund to encourage and help foreign sinologists and translators to dedicate themselves to translating Chinese literature and culture. The government can list the books that need to be translated and then leave them for foreign sinologists and translators to bid. Those who get the bid shall not only in charge of the translation part but also the publication in their own countries. Therefore， the translated Chinese literature work can be well circulated and received in foreign countries.

Thirdly， more than one permanent discussion bases should be set up in carefully selected places. This kind of discussion base is similar to “translation summer camp”. Relevant department shall invite sinologits and translators from home and abroad to attend the seminar and live in this area for around two months during which exports can meet together and discuss the problems they encountered while translating.

However， in light of the time gap and language gap， it is impossible for China to have a large number of sinologists. Therefore， Chinese translators shall play their role in disseminating Chinese literature and culture through proper methods and ways and make their own contribution. In fact， the communication and dissemination of Chinese literature and culture requires efforts from both sides.

References：

[1]Foreign Language Work Bibliography： A.F. Tytler. Eassy on the Principles of Translation[M]. New York： New American Library， 1791.

[2]Newmark， P.A. Textbook of Translation[M]. Shanghai： Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press， 2001.

[3]李貴生，张德福.宣传中华文化应“以我为准”[J].中国翻译， 2012（2）.

[4]马会娟.解读《国际文学翻译形势报告》———兼谈中国文学走出去[J].西安外国语大学学报，2014（2）：112-115.

[5]王宁.文化走出去先要突破翻译困局[N].中国文化报，2011，11，16 （3）.