The Role of Literary Theory in Literary Translation

Cheng Zhang

doi:10.22158/sll.v4n4p122

Abstract

In literary translation, the way quality of translation is judged shows some special features. The translator’s understanding of the source language text and his creative reconstruction of the target language text place the whole process of translation under the influence of literary theories. With a case analysis of three different translation versions of John Keats’ Ode on a Grecian Urn, this paper argues that based on the given features of literary translation, the relationships between the translator and the text, and the creative role of the translator in the process of translation, literary theory plays an essential role in literary translation.

Highlights

Translation as an activity came into being long ago when people found it necessary to communicate among different tongues and cultures
The above analysis using a particular approach of literary theory proves to be very helpful when a translator attempts to render Ode on a Grecian Urn into another language
Having analyzed a few examples in translating Ode on a Grecian Urn, it can be argued that when rendering a literary text, the translator will bear certain literary theories in mind, which in turn serves as a guide in his/her choice of words in the target language

Summary

Introduction

Translation as an activity came into being long ago when people found it necessary to communicate among different tongues and cultures. The issue that looms is “What makes good translation?” It is my aim in this paper to discuss one of the many factors that influence the quality of translation—the role of literary theory. I intend to approach the present issue by first of all discussing the terminology and establishing a relationship between translation and literary theory. I would confine my discussion and focus mainly on literary translation, based on the nature and division of translation. I would go into details to discuss the role of literary theory in literary translation by analyzing the whole process of translation. In the last part of the essay, the original and several translated versions of an English poem will be studied to demonstrate my point

Studies in Linguistics and Literature

Conclusion