“Translator studies” : Wu Mi’s discourse on translation
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Neohelicon
Publication Date
12-2017
Volume
44
Issue
2
First Page
583
Last Page
599
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Keywords
Wu Mi, Translator, Habitus, Discourse on translation
Abstract
Wu Mi (1894–1978) was one of the most important scholars in China in the early twentieth century. Taking habitus of the translator into consideration, this paper investigates Wu’s discourse on translation within a research framework on translators, and discusses Wu’s discourse on the definition and purpose of translation, the criteria of translation, the selection of materials for translation, the method of translation, etc. The study indicates that Wu’s direct discourse on translation is greatly influenced by his indirect discourse on translation, and his discourse on translation is also influenced by his habitus as a “Babbittian.” Wu was confident about traditional Chinese culture and language as well as the Chinese means of punctuation and did not think translation should be used as a tool to reform the native Chinese language. He was against the foreignized translation method and preferred using natural native Chinese language. We can say that the essence of Wu’s translation principle is “to put new materials in old rules.” Wu’s discourse on translation is indeed a true reflection of his habitus and his stance on New Culture Movement and is inseparable from the cultural and historical background.
DOI
10.1007/s11059-017-0389-6
Print ISSN
03244652
E-ISSN
15882810
Publisher Statement
Copyright © Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary 2017. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Additional Information
Paper presented at the 6th Tamkang International Conference on Ecological Discourse, Dec 19-20, 2014, Tamkang University, New Taipei, Taiwan.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Bai, L. (2017). “Translator studies” : Wu Mi’s discourse on translation. Neohelicon, 44(2), 583-599. doi: 10.1007/s11059-017-0389-6