Full metadata record
DC FieldValueLanguage
dc.contributorFaculty of Humanitiesen_US
dc.contributor.advisorLi, Dechao (CBS)en_US
dc.creatorLuo, Jinru-
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/11673-
dc.languageEnglishen_US
dc.publisherHong Kong Polytechnic Universityen_US
dc.rightsAll rights reserveden_US
dc.titleThe journey of Zhu Bajie’s image to the West : a corpus-based studyen_US
dcterms.abstractThis thesis is a corpus-based study of the characterisation of Zhu Bajie in the complete English translations of the famous Chinese classical novel Xiyouji. The thesis investigates Zhu Bajie's image, as constructed in the two complete English translations: The Journey to the West by Anthony Yu and Journey to the West by W. J. F. Jenner. By exploring the changes in Zhu Bajie's images across the two translations, compared to his image in the original novel, the thesis provides explanations for the reasons underlying these changes. Combining both structuralist and corpus approaches to the study of characterisation, this thesis is a new endeavour to apply a digital humanities approach to literary translation studies. Two Bajie corpora were constructed from the two complete English translations for this purpose. The thesis first explores the categories of direct definition and indirect presentation in Bajie's characterisation in terms of their textual 'keyness', including keywords, key clusters, and key sentence patterns. Then, the thesis adopts Sinclair's EUM model to investigate the changes in semantic prosody in regard to one of the top key nodes – "idiot" – and the resulting changes in Bajie's image. Based on the two self-built Bajie corpora and a parallel corpus of Xiyouji, the thesis examines the points of view presented in the two English translations, including linguistic markers of focalisation and reporting verbs, so as to explore the effects of narrative distance and stance on characterisation. It is found that both English translations construct an image of Bajie that is more positive and powerful than the original image of Bajie in the source text. Finally, the thesis points out the underlying reasons for these changes by situating the two translations in their socio-cultural and religious contexts.en_US
dcterms.extentx, 202 pages : color illustrationsen_US
dcterms.isPartOfPolyU Electronic Thesesen_US
dcterms.issued2022en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelDALSen_US
dcterms.educationalLevelAll Doctorateen_US
dcterms.LCSHWu, Cheng’en, approximately 1500-approximately 1582. Xi you jien_US
dcterms.LCSHChinese literature -- Translations into Englishen_US
dcterms.LCSHWu, Cheng’en, approximately 1500-approximately 1582 -- Charactersen_US
dcterms.LCSHZhu, Bajieen_US
dcterms.LCSHHong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertationsen_US
dcterms.accessRightsrestricted accessen_US

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
6213.pdfFor All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only)2.5 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Copyright Undertaking

As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:

  1. I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
  2. I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
  3. I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.

By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.

Show simple item record

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/11673