A study of translating irony in Cao Yu's Sunrise

Yang, Chan (2008). A study of translating irony in Cao Yu's Sunrise M.A. Thesis, School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies, The University of Queensland.

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Author Yang, Chan
Thesis Title A study of translating irony in Cao Yu's Sunrise
Formatted title A study of translating irony in Cao Yu's Sunrise
School, Centre or Institute School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies
Institution The University of Queensland
Publication date 2008
Thesis type M.A. Thesis
Supervisor Roberts, Rosie
Total pages 39
Language eng
Subjects L
970120 Expanding Knowledge in Language, Communication and Culture
200323 Translation and Interpretation Studies
200311 Chinese Languages
Abstract/Summary This study aims to show the usefulness of pragmatics for irony analysis in Cao Yu’s Sunrise, and investigate the different translation strategies that are applied to translating irony in this play’s English translation by A. C. Barnes. The recognition of irony is culturally dependent and not globally unified. On the other hand, irony is so hard to define because it always seems to include some type of subjective feeling. In this respect, issues involved in translating irony present a great challenge to theatre translators. This paper employs the pragmatic approach and translation strategies to analyze irony examples in Sunrise. According to the findings, the context is vital for the understanding of irony in all examples. Victims and audiences’ knowledge and ideologies also influence their abilities to recognize irony. Literal translation strategy is most frequently used to translate irony examples in Sunrise. The context and relevant knowledge of the source language’s culture is important for the translator and target audiences to understand the ST’s irony. The examples showed that the translator achieved linguistic and cultural equivalence in his translation by employing various different translation strategies, such as literal translation, domestication free translation and omission. In particular, free translation, omission and domestication were employed most commonly by the translator to tackle those culturally-specific terms and phrases, which have made a literal translation hard for the target audiences to comprehend.
Keyword irony
pragmatics
translation strategies
context
cultural issues
theatre
translatability
Cao Yu

 
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Created: Tue, 03 Aug 2010, 11:29:21 EST by Jo Grimmond on behalf of School of Languages and Comp Cultural Studies