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Translation, Rewriting and Manipulation

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Rewriting, Manipulation and Translator Subjectivity

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Translating and Interpreting ((PTTI))

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Abstract

This chapter reviews Lefevere’s rewriting theory. The academic environment within which rewriting theory occurs, and its evolutionary process and core components are introduced. A brief retrospection of rewriting theory application is provided, as well as an account of some of the main criticisms levelled against it, so that a revised theoretical model can be formulated for the subsequent analysis.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    All the translations from Chinese are by the author, unless otherwise stated.

  2. 2.

    “Translation purpose” as used in this study encompasses a number of possibilities, including translation motive, strategy and effect.

  3. 3.

    In this subsection, the introduction of how the concept “rewriting” evolved from “refraction” is not directly related to the application of rewriting theory to Howard Goldblatt’s translation of Mo Yan’s work. However, it is still explained in some detail to enable the Chinese readership to know better the ins and outs of this theory.

  4. 4.

    Ideology can be a constraining factor in its own right as well as being a component of patronage, as shown in Sect. 3.2.3.

  5. 5.

    Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners (2002).

  6. 6.

    The literature retrieved was sourced from CNKI, Google Scholar and ProQuest.

  7. 7.

    Although many approaches to translation studies may pass judgement on the TT, and may also formulate rules for regulating the translator’s act, a descriptive approach only aims to identify how translators translate, rather than how they should translate. Thus, a descriptive approach does not regulate in any way the act of translating itself but may seek to identify the cultural-environmental factors influencing the translator’s choices in a systemic manner.

  8. 8.

    “Subjective initiative”, in Chinese “主观能动性”, means the translator’s autonomy, creativity and proactiveness in the process of making translation decisions, as will be explained in detail in Chapter 8.

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  1. School of Foreign Studies, West Anhui University, Lu’an City, Anhui, China

    Hu Liu

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Liu, H. (2024). Translation, Rewriting and Manipulation. In: Rewriting, Manipulation and Translator Subjectivity. Palgrave Studies in Translating and Interpreting. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-53529-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-53529-1_3

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