Abstract：In recent years, a large number of foreign children’s literature works have flooded into the Chinese book market, and studies on the translation of children’s literature have received increasing attention. Metaphor is one of the most commonly used rhetorical devices in children’s literary works, therefore metaphor translation becomes especially important. Besides other translation theories, the literary theory, such as reception aesthetics, is also used in the study of children’s literary translation. 

From the perspective of reception aesthetics, the thesis explores the translation of metaphor in English children’s literature, taking Su Nong’s Chinese version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as the example. Several suitable strategies and methods are proposed, such as literal translation, free translation, combination of literal translation and free translation and substitution of vehicles.

Key words: reception aesthetics  metaphor  translation strategies and methods

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background and Significance of the Study-1

1.2 Structure of This Thesis-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 An Overview of Reception Aesthetics-3

2.2 The Main Concepts of Reception Aesthetics-3

2.3 The Guidance of Reception Aesthetics to the Translation of Children’s Literature-4

2.4 Previous Studies on  the Translation of Metaphor in Children’s Literature-5

Chapter Three Analysis on the Translation of Metaphors Used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone-6

3.1 Introduction to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone-6

3.2 Metaphor and Metaphors in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone-6

3.3 Translation Methods-7

3.3.1 Literal Translation-7

3.3.2 Free Translation-8

3.3.3 Combination of Literal Translation and Free Translation-9

3.3.4 Substitution of Vehicles-10

Chapter Four Conclusion-11

References-12