Liang, Lianda;
(2022)
Minds and lines in motion: Relevance Theory and Chinese to English visual poetry translation processes.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
Preview |
Text
Liang_10152162_Thesis_sig_removed.pdf Download (3MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Gutt argued that Relevance theory (RT), proposed by Deirdre Wilson and Dan Sperber (1986/1995), is sufficient to account for most types of translation on its own. This bold claim has given rise to substantial debate in both the Chinese and English translation scenes. One of the most significant debates on RT’s explanatory power has been that between Zhao Yanchun and Wang Bin (2000), with the latter arguing that RT cannot resolve discrepancies caused by the different cultures of the two languages. In Wang’s terminology, this becomes a problem of cultural default. While Wang viewed the difficulties as resulting primarily from specific cultural aspects of simplified Chinese language, I contend that it is, in particular, the visual aspects of Chinese, as well as of the visual poetry genre, that give rise to significant communicative challenges. This area remains underexplored by RT scholars, including Gutt. This PhD project responds to Gutt’s bold claim by exploring Chinese to English translation using visual poetry and human-based data from translators. Focusing on the significant challenges caused by discrepancies between logographic and alphabetic languages, I begin by reflecting on how the English translation of Chinese visual poems might be accounted for based on the concepts and assumptions of RT as developed by Gutt and other scholars who have sought to relate RT to literature or translation. I then investigate the extent to which the cognitive processes of translators, as observed via a natural and traditional collection method Think-Aloud Protocols (TAPs), confirm those same concepts and assumptions. The second goal of my research builds on Gutt’s efforts to demonstrate the applicability of RT by proposing a practice‒oriented model for the logographic to alphabetic language translation of literary texts. Based on the twofold approach from my first research goal, I develop a practice‒oriented model of translation that is designed to be of use in translation practice and training.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Minds and lines in motion: Relevance Theory and Chinese to English visual poetry translation processes |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2022. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| Keywords: | Relevance Theory, Gutt, Poetry Translation, Chinese to English Translation |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of Arts and Humanities UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of Arts and Humanities > CMII UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10152162 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
