| Author: | Liu, Tingyu |
| Title: | Retranslating Elizabeth Bennet in Chinese context : a study of five Chinese versions of Pride and Prejudice |
| Advisors: | Li, Dechao (CBS) |
| Degree: | DALS |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Subject: | Austen, Jane, 1775-1817 -- Translations into Chinese -- History and criticism Austen, Jane, 1775-1817. Pride and prejudice Translating and interpreting -- Evaluation Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Faculty of Humanities |
| Pages: | xv, 389 pages : color illustrations |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Retranslation studies have experienced a surge in scholarly interest, as evidenced by a growing number of papers published in academic journals and books throughout the 2010s. These studies have explored diverse aspects of retranslation, encompassing different text genres, historical periods, specific retranslators, and cultural contexts. However, it is worth noting that the majority of recent retranslation studies have predominantly focused on European languages such as French, English, Polish, Italian, and German. Consequently, scholars in this field advocate for a broader scope in retranslation studies, emphasizing the need to expand investigations to encompass a wider range of languages and cultures. Such expansions would facilitate a comprehensive understanding of how retranslation is approached and what unique features emerge in various linguistic and cultural contexts. Against this backdrop, this thesis sets out to investigate the transformations that occur in the portrayal of characters in retranslations within the Chinese context. Specifically, the study revolves around the analysis of Elizabeth Bennet, a central character in Pride and Prejudice, and her portrayal in five distinct Chinese adaptations ranging from 1935 to 2010: TT1 (1935), TT2 (1955), TT3 (1990), TT4 (2003), and TT5 (2016). This research embarks on a targeted investigation into the characterization of Elizabeth, paying specific heed to her significant attribute of "pride," which stands as a pivotal theme within the narrative. More precisely, the current investigation employs a descriptive and cross-linguistic methodology grounded in retranslation studies. Guided by Culpeper’s model (2014c) and Rimmon-Kenan’s model (2005) pertaining to character construction in texts, this research initially examines the pivotal adjectives and nouns used in directly shaping Elizabeth's overall characterization, encompassing self-definition, other-definition, and authorial depiction. Through this meticulous analysis, a comprehensive portrayal of Elizabeth’s character is aimed for. Subsequently, the thesis delves into an in-depth exploration of Elizabeth's pride, conveyed through indirect means. This examination of indirect portrayals encompasses an analysis of Elizabeth's behaviors, dialogues, inner thoughts, emotions, and external appearance. By juxtaposing alterations in the original text with the five target translations, the thesis endeavors to elucidate the evolving depictions of Elizabeth's characterization across varying texts. Building upon the tenets of descriptive translation studies (DTS) as elucidated by Toury, the initial findings are subjected to a comprehensive evaluation that integrates diverse sociocultural and translational perspectives. This holistic approach is instrumental in understanding and contextualizing the evolving representations of Elizabeth in different cultural and linguistic contexts. The research sheds light on the notable divergences in the portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet evident across the five Chinese translations of the source material. In the original text, Elizabeth emerges as a captivating figure, marked by a combination of qualities including vivacity, wit, genuine nature, intellect, determination, and intermittent displays of self-assurance. Elizabeth is shaped with more positive qualities. However, the retranslations exhibit considerable shifts in the pivotal adjectives and abstract nouns delineating Elizabeth's disposition. TT3 attains the highest similarity rate, followed by TT2 and TT4. It is surprising to note that TT1 surpasses TT5 in capturing the essence of Elizabeth’s direct characterization. Particularly noteworthy is TT2's emphasis on Elizabeth’s assertive, rebellious, and obstinate nature, while TT3 predominantly portrays more traditionally feminine attributes. Intriguingly, TT1 presents Elizabeth as a new, modern, and independent foreign female persona, devoid of distinct Chinese cultural elements. Contrarily, TT4 and TT5 veer away from the original portrayal, substituting her favorable attributes with neutral or unfavorable ones, resulting in conspicuous deviations from her authentic depictions. Elizabeth appears more negatively depicted in TT4 and TT5. The research findings point to a prevalent presence of positive pride in Elizabeth's characterization, indicating that her pride leans more towards a healthy self-assuredness rather than excessive arrogance. Elizabeth’s pride is most prominently evident in her speeches. It's noteworthy that her intelligence serves as a source of both positive and negative pride, depending on how she utilizes and presents her intellectual capabilities. Research reveals an ascending trend in Elizabeth's positive pride across the volumes, signifying her transformation into a woman emanating heightened self-assurance and confidence by the story's conclusion. Conversely, there's a decline in her negative pride as the narrative unfolds, indicating a significant shift in her character—a departure from arrogance towards a more genuine self-assurance. This portrayal depicts a profound character development, showcasing her transformation from a prideful and prejudiced individual to a composed, confident, and genuine woman by the story's end. The overall resemblance of Elizabeth's pride portrayal follows a distinct bell-curve shape across the five translations, with TT1 at one end and TT5 at the other, and TT3 positioned at the peak. A compelling observation arises when considering TT5 as the sole translation notably emphasizing Elizabeth's negative pride over her positive attributes, portraying her as a more arrogant figure. In contrast, a trend emerges from TT1 to TT4 depicting Elizabeth in a more favorable light, emphasizing her positive pride. Notably, TT2 stands out for its reduction in the portrayal of Elizabeth’s negative pride, evident from the considerable discrepancy between her positive and negative pride within this translation. The observed variations in the portrayal of Elizabeth across the five translation periods can be attributed to a complex interplay of translational and socio-cultural factors. These encompass various aspects related to the act of translation itself, such as the underlying purposes and intentions of the translations, the prevailing norms and conventions within the translation community, the choices made by translators, and the influence of publishers in shaping the translated texts. Additionally, socio-cultural influences stemming from the broader social context come into play, including factors such as the cultural milieu in which the translations are produced, national policies of translation in the different periods, and the national ideology. These multifaceted factors collectively contribute to the divergent portrayals of Elizabeth in the translated versions. This dissertation illuminates the dynamic nature of retranslations, showcasing how a central character can be depicted diversely across multiple renditions. Moreover, it offers fresh insights into the evolving interpretation of Elizabeth Bennet within the Chinese context. Moving forward, future research endeavors could delve into the impact of these retranslations on readers' perceptions of Elizabeth. Exploring how varying impressions of the same character in different translations may evoke diverse reactions from readers would be a fruitful avenue for investigation. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
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| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7554.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 10.76 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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