A Comparative Study of the Two English Translations of The Back from the Perspective of Reiss’s Translation Criticism Theory

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jhet.202415537

Author(s)

Chen Lin, Wang Honghua*

Affiliation(s)

Changchun Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, China *Corresponding Author.

Abstract

This paper analyzes the two English translations of Zhu Ziqing’s prose The Back from the perspective of Reiss’s translation Criticism Theory. The article begins with an overview of Reiss’s theory, emphasizing the importance of text type orientation and language features. Then, the translations by Zhang Peiji, and by Yang Xianyi&Dai Naidie were systematically compared from the internal linguistic features such as vocabulary, semantics, syntax, rhetoric, as well as the speaker, recipient, cultural difference and translator’s subjectivity. The study shows that Zhang tends to adopt direct translation and pursue formal equivalence; Yang & Dai focuses on free translation and emphasizes content communication. The two translation strategies have their own advantages in their attempts to showcase the artistic charm of the original work. The article finally points out that translation requires the translator’s creative coordination between respecting the original work and adapting to the target culture.

Keywords

Reiss’s translation criticism theory; The Back; English translation; translation comparison

References

[1]Wang Bingshuang. Discussing the Differences and Similarities Between English and Chinese Through Zhang Peiji’s English Translation of The Back [J]. Journal of Huaibei Vocational and Technical College, 2019, 18(6): 72-74. [2]Liu Yuyang. A Study on the English Translation of Zhu Ziqing’s Prose Congcong from the Perspective of Reiss’s Translation Criticism Theory [J]. English Square, 2022(23): 10-13. [3]Wang Ge. A Comparative Study of Two Translations of Letters to the Earl of Chesterfield”from the Perspective of Reiss’s Translation Criticism Theory [J]. Masterpieces by Famous Authors, 2022(22): 118-120. [4]Ding Zhaoxin, Liu Huijun. A Brief Analysis of the English Translation of The Songs of Wisdom from the Perspective of Reiss’s Text Type Theory [J]. Young Writers, 2020(23): 34-35. [5]Wang Cuimin. Comparative Analysis of Translator Styles: A Case Study of Two English Translations of The Back by Zhang Peiji and Yang Xianyi [J]. Youth Times, 2016(3): 139-139. [6]Liang Tingyu. A Study on the Translation Styles of Zhang Peiji and Yang Xianyi’s English Translations of The Back [J]. Modern Linguistics, 2022, 10(9): 1934-1943. [7]Ye Yuan, Tian Lili. A Comparison of Two English Translations of Zhu Ziqing’s The Back[J]. Curriculum Education Research (New Teacher Teaching), 2014(34): 140-140. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-3089.2014.34.139. [8]Jia Lan. An Evaluation of Two English Translations of The Back [J]. Jiannan Literature (Classic Reading), 2014(1): 250-251.