An Aesthetics-Based Translation Study of The Night Watchman Translated by Yu Kwang-chung Himself

Abstract

Self-translation is a particular translation phenomenon. A self-translator may have a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the original text than other translators. Translation is not simply the process of language transformation, but also a process of aesthetic representation with proper aesthetic creation by the translator from the original poems to the target ones. As a well-known writer and translator, Yu’s self-translated poem collection The Night Watchman shows his translation competence, and profound translation thoughts. Based on the theory of translation aesthetics, this research is going to discuss self-translation, and how Yu Kwang-chung reproduces the originals, aesthetic effect in form, sound and imagery, providing a new research angle and material for studies on his translation aesthetic thoughts.