Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

An Analysis of the Paratext in Graham Sanders’s Six Records of a Life Adrift: Features and Functions

Year 2021, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 1 - 26, 31.12.2021
https://doi.org/10.29228/transLogos.35

Abstract

As a classic piece of Chinese literature, Shen Fu’s (1763–1825)—a famous writer and literary figure of the Qing dynasty—Fu Sheng Liu Ji (Six Records of a Life Adrift) has been translated into more than ten languages. To date, it has had four English versions, and enjoys a favorable reception in the English-speaking world. By analyzing the paratext (including footnotes, the introduction, the note on the translation, the title, illustrations, and other elements) of the latest English version by Canadian scholar-translator Graham Sanders, this paper intends to identify the features of the paratext in terms of spatial distribution, category distribution, and detail density, as well as its functions of facilitating the reader’s reception of the work, explaining unfamiliar cultural concepts, highlighting the translator’s role, and so on. The paper finds that the paratext contributes to a clear and comprehensive understanding of the translated work, and it, as the peritextual and epitextual ties, plays an important role in the translation, publication, and international reception of the translated work, which affect the canonization of Chinese literature in the English-speaking world. Hopefully, this paper will provide a valuable reference for translation theory and practice as well as relevant research in the future.

References

  • Black, Shirley Marie, trans. 1960. Chapters from a Floating Life: The Autobiography of a Chinese Artist. By Shen Fu. London: Oxford University Press.
  • Deng, Yan. 2010. “Dazhonghuawenke Ban Fu Sheng Liu Ji Fanyicelue Jiexi.” [Analysis of translation strategy of Fu Sheng Liu Ji in library of Chinese classics.] Journal of Anhui University of Technology (Social Sciences) 27 (4): 69–71.
  • Dong, Hui. 2002. “Lin Yutang Fu Sheng Liu Ji Yingyiben Shangxi.” [An analysis of Six Chapters of a Floating Life translated by Lin Yutang.] Journal of Xi’an International Studies University 10 (3): 11–15.
  • Genette, Gérard. 1991. “Introduction to the Paratext.” Translated by Marie Maclean. New Literary History 22 (2): 261–272. doi:10.2307/469037.
  • Genette, Gérard. 1997. Paratexts: Thresholds of Interpretation. Translated by Jane E. Lewin. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Guan, Xingzhong. 2014. “An Alternative Explanation for Translation Variations in Six Chapters of a Floating Life by Lin Yutang.” Perspectives 22 (2): 198–221. doi:10.1080/0907676X.2012.722655.
  • Huang, Peixi. 2018. “Fuwenben Yu Fanyiwenhua Jiangou-Yi Huangdi Neijing Suwen Yingyi Weili.” [Paratexts and cultural construction in translation—A case study of English translation of Huangdi Neijing Suwen by Ilza Veith.] Shanghai Journal of Translators, no. 3, 73–79.
  • Lee, Sang-Bin. 2020. “Reception and Revision of Women-Related Translation Paratexts: South Korean Cases.” The Translator 26 (2): 176–189. doi:10.1080/13556509.2020.1783881.
  • Liang, Linxin, and Xu Mingwu. 2018. “A Comparative Analysis of the Reception of Four English Versions of Fu Sheng Liu Ji: Translation, Publication and International Circulation.” Translation Review 101 (1): 7–30. doi:10.1080/07374836.2018.1475271.
  • Lin, Yutang, trans. 1939. Six Chapters of a Floating Life. By Shen Fu. Shanghai: Shanghai Hsi Feng/Westwind Press.
  • Li, Yuliang. 2005. “Lin Yi Fu Sheng Liu Ji De Deyushi.” [Gain and loss of Six Chapters of a Floating Life by Lin Yutang.] Shandong Foreign Language Teaching Journal, no. 6, 79–83.
  • Lu, Fang. 2010. “The Afterlife of Six Chapters of a Floating Life: Three English Translations of Fu Sheng Liu Ji.” Translation Review 80 (1): 25–52. doi:10.1080/07374836.2010.10524028.
  • Luo, Tian, and Zhang Meifang. 2018. “Reconstructing Cultural Identity via Paratexts: A Case Study on Lionel Giles’ Translation of The Art of War.” Perspectives 26 (4): 593–611. doi:10.1080/0907676X.2017.1401650.
  • Maher, Brigid. 2016. “‘La Dolce Vita’ Meets ‘the Nature of Evil’: The Paratextual Positioning of Italian Crime Fiction in English Translation.” The Translator 22 (2): 176–189. doi:10.1080/13556509.2016.1184879.
  • Peng, Yanhua. 2016. “Fu Sheng Liu Ji Yingyiben Duibi Yanjiu.” [Comparative analysis of the English versions of Fu Sheng Liu Ji based on the adaptation and selection theory.] Journal of Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics (Social Science Edition) 35 (2): 114–117.
  • Pratt, Leonard, and Su-hui Chiang, trans. 1983. Six Records of a Floating Life. By Shen Fu. New York: Penguin Classics.
  • Sanders, Graham, trans. 2011. Six Records of a Life Adrift. By Shen Fu. Indianapolis: Hackett.
  • Wei, Jiahai. 2017. “Chuci Fanyizhushi De Wenhuagongneng.” [The cultural functions of annotations in the English translation of Chu Chi.] Journal of Xi’an International Studies University 25 (1): 121–126.
  • Xiao, Li. 2011. “Fuwenben Zhiyu Fanyiyanjiu De Yiyi.” [The significance of paratexts to translation studies.] Shanghai Journal of Translators, no. 4, 17–21.
  • Yu, Yanghuan, and Dong Yan. 2020. “Cong Fuwenben Jiedu Cyril Birch Yingyi Mu Dan Ting.” [Peripheries of translation: A paratextual interpretation of English translation of Peony Pavilion by Cyril Birch.] Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, no. 5, 127–138.
Year 2021, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 1 - 26, 31.12.2021
https://doi.org/10.29228/transLogos.35

Abstract

References

  • Black, Shirley Marie, trans. 1960. Chapters from a Floating Life: The Autobiography of a Chinese Artist. By Shen Fu. London: Oxford University Press.
  • Deng, Yan. 2010. “Dazhonghuawenke Ban Fu Sheng Liu Ji Fanyicelue Jiexi.” [Analysis of translation strategy of Fu Sheng Liu Ji in library of Chinese classics.] Journal of Anhui University of Technology (Social Sciences) 27 (4): 69–71.
  • Dong, Hui. 2002. “Lin Yutang Fu Sheng Liu Ji Yingyiben Shangxi.” [An analysis of Six Chapters of a Floating Life translated by Lin Yutang.] Journal of Xi’an International Studies University 10 (3): 11–15.
  • Genette, Gérard. 1991. “Introduction to the Paratext.” Translated by Marie Maclean. New Literary History 22 (2): 261–272. doi:10.2307/469037.
  • Genette, Gérard. 1997. Paratexts: Thresholds of Interpretation. Translated by Jane E. Lewin. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Guan, Xingzhong. 2014. “An Alternative Explanation for Translation Variations in Six Chapters of a Floating Life by Lin Yutang.” Perspectives 22 (2): 198–221. doi:10.1080/0907676X.2012.722655.
  • Huang, Peixi. 2018. “Fuwenben Yu Fanyiwenhua Jiangou-Yi Huangdi Neijing Suwen Yingyi Weili.” [Paratexts and cultural construction in translation—A case study of English translation of Huangdi Neijing Suwen by Ilza Veith.] Shanghai Journal of Translators, no. 3, 73–79.
  • Lee, Sang-Bin. 2020. “Reception and Revision of Women-Related Translation Paratexts: South Korean Cases.” The Translator 26 (2): 176–189. doi:10.1080/13556509.2020.1783881.
  • Liang, Linxin, and Xu Mingwu. 2018. “A Comparative Analysis of the Reception of Four English Versions of Fu Sheng Liu Ji: Translation, Publication and International Circulation.” Translation Review 101 (1): 7–30. doi:10.1080/07374836.2018.1475271.
  • Lin, Yutang, trans. 1939. Six Chapters of a Floating Life. By Shen Fu. Shanghai: Shanghai Hsi Feng/Westwind Press.
  • Li, Yuliang. 2005. “Lin Yi Fu Sheng Liu Ji De Deyushi.” [Gain and loss of Six Chapters of a Floating Life by Lin Yutang.] Shandong Foreign Language Teaching Journal, no. 6, 79–83.
  • Lu, Fang. 2010. “The Afterlife of Six Chapters of a Floating Life: Three English Translations of Fu Sheng Liu Ji.” Translation Review 80 (1): 25–52. doi:10.1080/07374836.2010.10524028.
  • Luo, Tian, and Zhang Meifang. 2018. “Reconstructing Cultural Identity via Paratexts: A Case Study on Lionel Giles’ Translation of The Art of War.” Perspectives 26 (4): 593–611. doi:10.1080/0907676X.2017.1401650.
  • Maher, Brigid. 2016. “‘La Dolce Vita’ Meets ‘the Nature of Evil’: The Paratextual Positioning of Italian Crime Fiction in English Translation.” The Translator 22 (2): 176–189. doi:10.1080/13556509.2016.1184879.
  • Peng, Yanhua. 2016. “Fu Sheng Liu Ji Yingyiben Duibi Yanjiu.” [Comparative analysis of the English versions of Fu Sheng Liu Ji based on the adaptation and selection theory.] Journal of Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics (Social Science Edition) 35 (2): 114–117.
  • Pratt, Leonard, and Su-hui Chiang, trans. 1983. Six Records of a Floating Life. By Shen Fu. New York: Penguin Classics.
  • Sanders, Graham, trans. 2011. Six Records of a Life Adrift. By Shen Fu. Indianapolis: Hackett.
  • Wei, Jiahai. 2017. “Chuci Fanyizhushi De Wenhuagongneng.” [The cultural functions of annotations in the English translation of Chu Chi.] Journal of Xi’an International Studies University 25 (1): 121–126.
  • Xiao, Li. 2011. “Fuwenben Zhiyu Fanyiyanjiu De Yiyi.” [The significance of paratexts to translation studies.] Shanghai Journal of Translators, no. 4, 17–21.
  • Yu, Yanghuan, and Dong Yan. 2020. “Cong Fuwenben Jiedu Cyril Birch Yingyi Mu Dan Ting.” [Peripheries of translation: A paratextual interpretation of English translation of Peony Pavilion by Cyril Birch.] Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, no. 5, 127–138.
There are 20 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Language Studies
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Fangwen Peng This is me 0000-0002-8559-2070

Linxin Lıang This is me 0000-0003-1692-2563

Publication Date December 31, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2021 Volume: 4 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Peng, F., & Lıang, L. (2021). An Analysis of the Paratext in Graham Sanders’s Six Records of a Life Adrift: Features and Functions. TransLogos Translation Studies Journal, 4(2), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.29228/transLogos.35
AMA Peng F, Lıang L. An Analysis of the Paratext in Graham Sanders’s Six Records of a Life Adrift: Features and Functions. transLogos Translation Studies Journal. December 2021;4(2):1-26. doi:10.29228/transLogos.35
Chicago Peng, Fangwen, and Linxin Lıang. “An Analysis of the Paratext in Graham Sanders’s Six Records of a Life Adrift: Features and Functions”. TransLogos Translation Studies Journal 4, no. 2 (December 2021): 1-26. https://doi.org/10.29228/transLogos.35.
EndNote Peng F, Lıang L (December 1, 2021) An Analysis of the Paratext in Graham Sanders’s Six Records of a Life Adrift: Features and Functions. transLogos Translation Studies Journal 4 2 1–26.
IEEE F. Peng and L. Lıang, “An Analysis of the Paratext in Graham Sanders’s Six Records of a Life Adrift: Features and Functions”, transLogos Translation Studies Journal, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 1–26, 2021, doi: 10.29228/transLogos.35.
ISNAD Peng, Fangwen - Lıang, Linxin. “An Analysis of the Paratext in Graham Sanders’s Six Records of a Life Adrift: Features and Functions”. transLogos Translation Studies Journal 4/2 (December 2021), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.29228/transLogos.35.
JAMA Peng F, Lıang L. An Analysis of the Paratext in Graham Sanders’s Six Records of a Life Adrift: Features and Functions. transLogos Translation Studies Journal. 2021;4:1–26.
MLA Peng, Fangwen and Linxin Lıang. “An Analysis of the Paratext in Graham Sanders’s Six Records of a Life Adrift: Features and Functions”. TransLogos Translation Studies Journal, vol. 4, no. 2, 2021, pp. 1-26, doi:10.29228/transLogos.35.
Vancouver Peng F, Lıang L. An Analysis of the Paratext in Graham Sanders’s Six Records of a Life Adrift: Features and Functions. transLogos Translation Studies Journal. 2021;4(2):1-26.