ABSTRACT

Among many remarkable and well-known translation theories, the author and the source text always occupy the significant positions, while the roles of the translator are usually minimized and even ignored. Based on the previous researches, “Fusion of Horizons” of the Hermeneutics concept could be used to explain the subjectivity of the translator. Hence, this thesis has adopted the philosophical theory- “Fusion of Horizons” to analyze and compare three Chinese versions of The Author’s Account of Himself from the aspects of meaning, rhetoric and culture, aiming to explain the creativity and initiative during the process of translation and to provide another way to make readers understand the inevitability of different translations of different translators. Hopefully, it will provide a new perspective on translation criticism.  

Key words: “Fusion of Horizons”  The Author’s Account of Himself  analyze and compare  the subjectivity of the translator

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

中文摘要

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE.-1

1.1.1 Purpose of This Study-1

1.1.2 Significance of This Study-2

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW-2

2.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE THEORETICAL FOUNDATION-2

2.1.1 Studies on The Development of Philosophical Hermeneutics-2

2.1.2 Studies on The Enlightenment of Philosophical Hermeneutics on Translation Studies-3

2.1.3 Studies on “Fusion of Horizons”-4

2.2 INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTHOR’S ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF AND WASHINGTON IRVING.-6

2.3 INTRODUCTION TO THE THREE TRANSLATORS OF THE AUTHOR’S ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF-7

CHAPTER THREE A COMPARATIVE STUDY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF “FUSION OF HORIZONS”-9

3.1 ANALYSIS OF THREE VERSIONS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF “FUSION OF HORIZONS”-9

3.1.1 Semantic “Fusion of Horizons”-9

3.1.2 Rhetorical “Fusion of Horizons”-11

3.1.3 Cultural “Fusion of Horizons”-13

3.1.4 Conclusion-14

3.2 ANALYSIS OF THE REASON OF DIFFERENCES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF “FUSION OF HORIZONS”-15

3.2.1 Analysis from The Historicity of Understanding-15

3.2.2 Analysis from The Subjectivity of Understanding-15

3.2.3 Analysis from The Creativity of Understanding-17

CHAPTER FOUR CONCLUSION-18

BIBLIOGRAPHY-20