Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Study-1

1.2 Purpose of the Study-2

1.3 Significance of the Study-2

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Mo Yan and His Hong Gaoliang Jiazu-3

2.2 Howard Goldblatt and Red Sorghum-3

2.3 Previous Studies on Red Sorghum-4

Chapter Three Theoretical Basis-5

3.1 Andre Lefevere and Rewriting Theory-5

3.2 Three Constraining Elements in Lefevere’s Rewriting Theory-5

3.2.1 Ideology-5

3.2.2 Poetics-6

3.2.3 Patronage-6

Chapter Four Rewriting Phenomenon in Red Sorghum-8

4.1 Ideological Rewriting Phenomenon in Red Sorghum-8

4.1.1 Rewriting of Religious Information-8

4.1.2 Rewriting of Political Information-9

4.1.3 Rewriting of Sex-related Information-10

4.2 Poetic Rewriting in the Translation of Red Sorghum-11

4.2.1 Rewriting of Characters’ Names-11

4.2.2 Rewriting of Color Words-12

4.2.3 Rewriting of Culture-loaded Words-13

Chapter Five Conclusion-14

5.1 Major Findings of the Study-14

5.2 Limitations and Suggestions for Future Studies-14

References-16

Abstract

Mo Yan, modern Chinese writer, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012 by his excellent writing and literary talent, became the first Chinese to accept this honorable reputation. This event not only makes Chinese literature popular in the world but the translation of modern and contemporary Chinese literature turn into the focus of the translation studies. The novel Hong Gaolang Jiazu, one of the representative works of Mo Yan, was translated into English by Howard Goldblatt, a famous American sinologist, and published in America in 1993. It has enjoyed great popularity in America and many literary commentators consider Red Sorghum very faithful to the original work. However, through the comparison between the source text and the translated version, it can be found that there are many parts in Goldblatt’s translation which are not completely faithful to the original and many rewriting phenomena in his translation.

The traditional study of translation pays more attention to language contrast and text analysis. However, Lefevere’s Rewriting Theory (RT) is out of this study mode and attaches importance to some problems such as the mutual effects between translation and culture, cultural scope and mode that restrict translation as well as context, history, tradition, etc. A series of expositions of Rewriting Theory have greatly enlarged the scope of translation studies, inspiring the literature studies in some degree and promoting the development of translatology.

Red Sorghum is a remarkable novel, but only few translators have studied this English version. In consideration of this, this thesis is based on Lefevere’s rewriting theory, analyzing the rewriting phenomena in Red Sorghum and exploring the applicability of RT to the translation of Chinese modern and contemporary literature.

Key Words： Rewriting theory  rewriting phenomena  ideology  poetics