Luo Jingguos Gu Wen Guan Zhi: A Model Translation from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence罗经国版《古文观止》：功能对等理论视角下的典范译作开题报告

1．结合毕业设计（论文）课题情况，根据所查阅的文献资料，每人撰写2000字左右的文献综述：

1. Introduction

1.1 Research background

In the 19^th century, the important essays and references by Goethe (1814), Humboldt (1816), Novalis (1798), Schopenhauer (1851) and Nietzsche (1882) were more inclined toward literal translation; however, none of them established a systematic translation theory on its nature and methodology, i.e. some very significant contributions were made, but they never coalesced into a coherent, intersubjectively valid theory of translation (Wilss, 2001, p.56).

Eugene Albert Nida is one of the dominant figures among modern translation theorists. His translation theory is a comprehensive discussion of the basic aspects of translation: its relation to meaning and language, the definition of translation, principles of translation and the procedure or methodology of translation. His famous writings bring forth his important translation principle of dynamic equivalence (then developed into functional equivalence). Nida makes comments on the state of the traditional translation theories: The fundamental differences in translation theories may be stated in terms of two conflicting poles: (1) literal vs. free translating; and (2) emphasis on form vs. concentration on content, Rarely are these conflicting views analyzed in detail or the implications of such principles worked out carefully in actual practice (2004, pp.22-23). Recognizing the problematic nature of translational theories, Nida puts forward his theories of translation. In his famous book Language and Culture: Contexts in Translating, everything in one language can be said in another, and the form of the original message should be adapted to target language and culture in order to communicate the meaning of messages effectively, that is, a translation is intended to be understood by the receptors. All in all, Nidas new concept of translation is expressed in the following statement: Translating consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source message, first in terms of meaning and second in terms of style (Nida and Taber, 2004, p.12).

Nidas translation theory has undoubted impact on the translation research throughout the world. Professor Tan Zaixi once evaluated: Nidas theoretical contribution helps to create a new style of treating different cultures in different languages to promote the exchange and communication in the world (1984, p.102). In particular, the influence of his functional equivalence has broadened our vision, showed us a new method of translation, liberalized our minds and helped us overcome mechanism. Functional equivalence theory is well-applied in various types of texts such as advertisements, political and legal passages, poetry and literature, thus worth analyzing in a concrete text.

Gu Wen Guan Zhi (《古文观止》), compiled around 1695, consists of essays from pre-Qin period to the end of Ming Dynasty, altogether about 222 essays. It was edited by Wu Chucai and Wu Diaohou in early Qing Dynasty, which are the cream of Chinese prose in ancient China. The Chinese characters Guan Zhi means a collection of essays on the highest level among other Chinese classical articles and the book was also one of official references for ancient students eager to be enrolled into government office through the imperial examination. It contains the prose of all types, some of which are convincing or lyrical, some descriptive or praising.

Professor Luo Jingguo comes from Beijing University. He only selected 32 from 古文观止 and translated them into English in 2005, hoping to give a full presentation to readers around the world, which shows his mastery as a translator．The 32 essays include The First Memorial to the King Before Setting Off for War, A Letter to His Majesty, Prologue to the Collection of Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion, Going Home, Tale of the Fountain of Peach Blossom Spring, Master Five Willows, A Tribute to King Tengs Tower, A Letter to Han Jingzhou, Entertainment Given in the Peach and Plum Garden on a Spring Evening, An Epigraph in Praise of My Humble Home, On the Teacher, An Elegiac Address to the Twelfth Nephew, An Epitaph for Liu Zihou, The Snake Catcher, The Life of Camel Guo, The House Builder, Prologue to the Foolish Creek Poem, Shijun Weis New Hall in Yongzhou, The Hillock to the West of Gumu Pond, Mountain of the Little Rock City, The Pavilion of Plenty and Happiness, The Yueyang Tower, The Bamboo Pavilion in Huanggang, The Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man, Ode to the Sound of Autumn, An Epitaph Inscribed on the Memorial Tablet at the Path Leading to the Tomb in Shuanggang, The Timely Rain Pavilion, The Towering Terrace, The Stone Bell Mountain, The First Ode on the Red Cliff, The Second Ode on the Red Cliff and What the Orange Vendor Said. Therefore, Luos version of Gu Wen Guan Zhi will be analyzed under the framework of Nidas Functional Equivalence.

1.2 Need for the study

Up to now, little attention seems to have been paid to the study of Luo Jingguos version of Gu Wen Guan Zhi and a lot of mysteries are required to be solved, which gives wonderful opportunities for us to explore it from a new perspective. Therefore, this thesis aims to prove that Luos is the model version from the perspective of Nidas functional equivalence. This study is bound to inspire scholars to form new perspectives of examining some classical Chinese essays as well as enhancing a thorough understanding towards Nidas functional equivalence. Besides, the author of this thesis hopes more and more relevant studies can appear like mushrooms afterwards.

2. Literature Review

2.1 Functional equivalence

The concept of functional adequacy in translating has been described in a number of books and articles as dynamic equivalence. In Nidas Toward a Science of Translating (2003), dynamic equivalence has been treated in terms of the closest natural equivalent, but the term dynamic has been misunderstood by some people. Accordingly, many individuals think that if a translation has considerable impact, then it must be a correct example of dynamic equivalence. Because of this misunderstanding and in order to emphasize the concept of function, it seems much more satisfactory to use the expression functional equivalence in describing the degrees of adequacy of translation (Nida, 2001). Dynamic equivalence is therefore defined in terms of the degree in which the receptors of the message in the receptor language respond to it in substantially the same manner as the receptors in the source language (Nida，2004) .

The adequacy of a translation depends on a great many different factors: the reliability of the text itself, the discourse type, the intended audience, the manner in which the translated text is used, and the purpose for which the translation has been made, a fact which only complicates any evaluation of a translation. In general, it is proper to speak highly of functional equivalence in terms of a range of adequacy, since no translation is ever completely equivalent. That means that equivalence can be understood in terms of proximity, i.e. on the basis of degrees of closeness to functional identity.

As to functions, at least two exact points leave us deep thinking. From the very nature of functional equivalence, we translators have the correct standard of what a good target text is ----the readers will comprehend and conceive the text as the original readers may do. Anything less than this degree of equivalence should be unacceptable. Besides, under the ideal conditions, readers will have essentially the same way of understanding the translated text as original reads do, which is hard to achieve and realize (Nida 2001). It gives me a clear idea of what the functional equivalence means; therefore, this thesis will examine Luos version with the aid of this translation theory in details.

2.2 Previous studies on Luo Jingguos Gu Wen Guan Zhi

Luo Jingguos 2005 version Gu Wen Guan Zhi has drawn many scholars attraction. Wang Qian (2009) makes a very elaborate interpretation of its beauty and translation techniques in Teng Wang Ge xu, and sharply points out such techniques as allusions, parallel sentences, logic relationships, conversion of part of speech, etc. On the score of reflection of original beauty of Chinese essays, not only does Xuan Zhifeng (2012) speak highly of Luos Gu Wen Guan Zhi but clearly state the limitations in terms of its rhetoric devices and prosy beauty. Besides, Zheng Qiong (2013) deems Luos version as adequate renderings from the perspective of stylistic correspondence. He also gives us the full explanation of disadvantages of Luos in terms of the deficiency of original beauty lying in classic Chinese essays. However, these two scholars arguments lack concrete examples on limitations of Luos. They should prove their points of view by studying one specific aspect of beauty.

Quite a few scholars show great interest in the comparative study of different translated versions in the aspect of cultural equivalence by interpreting Lan Ting Ji Xus various translated versions by Lin Yutang, Xie Baikui, Sun Dayu and Luo Jingguo. Dong Xiaoguang (2011) says that Luos translation conveys particular cultural code and makes the exact correspondent in the process (the first one of the three main semantic scopes is in transitivity, and the other two are participant and circumstantial element). Besides, with Nidas functional equivalence, he proves intextuality embodied in the process i.e. translated sentences are semantically equivalent, which gives me a hint to start my thesis; however, he does not make an in-depth study. Anyway, He provides us with a new method in appreciating different versions. Similarly, Ding Jianfang (2013) believes that among the translated versions by Luo Jingguo, Lin Yutang and American Sinologist James Hightower, Luos bridges the communication and cultural gap between the east and the west. Based on Peter Newmarks theory of communicative translation and semantic translation, she briefly explains how these are correctly applied in translation versions. Indeed, her perspective leaves rich imagination and keen interest for some scholars.

References

An, Qiuping. [安平秋],评《古文观止》二吴注. 北京大学学报(哲学社会科学版). 1984,(4):76-81.

Cui, Guangjie. [崔光婕]，从奈达的功能对等论看英译汉中的增词和减词. 考试周刊，2009, (1): 46-47.

Ding, Jianfang. [丁建芳]. 翻译二元论视界下《桃花源记》三种译本的对比分析. 剑南文学，2013，(01) :196.

Dong, Xiaoguang. [董晓光]. 《兰亭集序》英译文的及物性和语义功能等效. 现代语文，2011,（03）:113-116

Hightower, James. The poetry of T ao Chen. Oxford: Claredon Press, 1970.

Lin, Yutang. [林语堂]. 扬州瘦马. 天津：百花文艺出版社. 2002: 30-35.

Luo, Jingguo. [罗经国]译, 古文观止精选. 北京：外语教学与研究出版社, 2005.

Ma, Huijuan. [马会娟]. 翻译学论争根源之我见兼谈奈达的翻译科学. 外语与外语教学, 2001, (09).

Newmark, P. Approaches to translation. Shanghai: Foreign Language Education Press, 2002.

Nida, E. A., Taber, C. The theory and practice of translation. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2004.

Nida, E. A. Toward a science of translating. Netherland: Brill Academic Publishers, 2003.

Nida, E. A. Language and culture---Contexts in translation. 上海：上海外语教育出版社，2001.

Nida, E. A. Language, culture and translation. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 1993.

Shi, Xingshu. [石锡书]，Du Ping [杜平], 辩证地看待奈达的功能对等理论. 四川教育学院学报，2004,(07): 69-71.

Tan, Zaixi. [谭载喜]编译, 奈达论翻译. 北京：中国对外翻译出版公司，1984.

Tang, Linlin. [唐琳琳]. 奈达翻译理论在中国的传播与接受. 四川外语学院, 2011, (4): 6-8.

Wang, Qian. [王倩]. 罗经国《滕王阁序》英译技巧研究. 西北成人教育学报，2009，(05) ：65-68.

Wang, Yunyan. [王云燕].论文化负载词在《古文观止》英译中的处理. 文学界(理论版), 2011, (9): 46-47.

Wilss, W. The science of translation. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001.

Xuan, Zhifeng. [轩治峰]. 汉语古典散文美之认知与英译时美之再现. 商丘师范学院学报，2012，(01):125-129.

Zhang, Xundong. [张旭东], Zhang, Dongyu [张东宇]. 从奈达的对等理论看译者的追求. 东北师大报（哲学社会科学版），2009, (1): 101-103.

Zheng, Qiong. [郑穹]. 翻译中的文体对应以罗经国英译《陋室铭》为例. 海外英语. 2013, (23) :188-191.

２．本课题要研究或解决的问题和拟采用的研究手段（途径）：

1. Research Topic

As mentioned in the previous section, this thesis mainly aims to prove Luos version is the model translation version if to examine such translation methods as adding and omitting, inversion, affirmative and negative techniques, etc. on lexical, syntactic and stylistic levels from the perspectives of Nidas functional equivalence.

2. Research Methods

This study will make a qualitative analysis and the research methods include document research, analytic induction and deduction.

1). Document Research. Research process consists of reading, analyzing, evaluating, and summarizing scholarly materials about a specific work. The author of the thesis has found some relevant information, including Nidas translation theory and Luo Jingguos Gu Wen Guan Zhi, other scholars relevant studies on Luos version and Nidas functional equivalence.

2). Analytic induction. This method means supporting ideas or evidence will be given so as to draw a sound conclusion, that is, convincing examples from Luos version will be illustrated on lexical, semantic and stylistic levels in this thesis.

3). Deduction. In the main body of the thesis, every statement will be made by well-grounded reasoning and detailed examples will be discussed from the perspective of functional equivalence.

指导教师意见：

1．对文献综述的评语：

梁帆同学在文献综述部分从两个方面对所收集到的资料和文献进行述评：前人对罗经国版《古文观止》相关研究的进展情况；对奈达功能对等理论相关研究的进展情况，并给出了本研究的必要性。可以看出该生目前对该课题的研究具有很好的了解和认识，为今后的论文写作打下了初步的基础。在今后的写作过程中，该生应该进一步加强论文资料，特别是关于罗经国版《古文观止》和功能对等理论资料的收集，从而使自己的写作更加深入，并有针对性。

2．对本课题的深度、广度及工作量的意见和对设计（论文）结果的预测：

本课题主要从奈达的功能对等理论视角从词汇、句法和文体这三个层面解读罗经国版《古文观止》，该课题具有一定的深度和广度。从对课题的深度、广度以及工作量等方面看完全可以达到课题设计的要求。

指导教师：胡爱华

2015年 1月 10日

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