A Study on Goldblatt's Translation of Red Sorghumfrom the Perspevtive of Translator Behavior Criticism
Journal: Arts Studies and Criticism DOI: 10.32629/asc.v6i2.3826
Abstract
Mo Yan's Red Sorghum is a landmark novel set during the Anti-Japanese War, exploring themes of conflict and patriotism. It solidified Mo Yan's literary status and gained international recognition. Howard Goldblatt, a leading translator of Chinese literature, has translated over 60 works, including Red Sorghum, making it widely accessible to English readers. This study examines Goldblatt's translation using Translator Behavior Criticism, analyzing both intra-textual and extra-textual factors. Applying the “truth-seeking utility-achieving” model, it evaluates how Goldblatt balances fidelity and readability. Findings indicate that his approach adapts based on linguistic, cultural, and social contexts. His role as a cultural mediator influences translation choices, enhancing Red Sorghum's global reach. The study highlights the complexity of literary translation and Goldblatt's strategic adjustments to ensure accessibility while preserving the novel's artistic integrity.
Keywords
Translator Behavior Criticism; Red Sorghum; Howard Goldbla
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[3]Mo Yan. On Translation and Global Readership [J]. Contemporary Writers Review, 2000(3): 15-22.
[4]Xie Tianzhen. The Importance of High-Quality Literary Translation in Cultural Exchange [J]. Chinese Translation Studies, 2015(1): 5-12.
[5]Liu Yunhong. The Role of Translation in Promoting Chinese Literature Abroad [J]. Journal of Literary Translation, 2019(2): 66-74.
[6]Mo, Y. (2011). Red Sorghum (H. Goldblatt, Trans.). New York: Arcade Publishing, 2011.
[7]Xu, Duojin. (2019). Translation Concepts, Strategies, and Interpretive Paths: On Howard Goldblatt’s Translation Studies. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, (6), 45–50.
[8]Liu, Hui. (2014). Reflections and Exploration on Knowledge Services in University Libraries: A Case Study of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Library. Development & Economy of Information Science and Technology, 24(9), 21–24.
[9]Mo Yan. Red Sorghum [M]. Translated by Howard Goldblatt. London: Arrow Books, 2003:29.
[10]Thomas, M. Mo Yan: Through Western Eyes [J]. World Literature Today, 2000(74): 501-506.
[11]Zhou Lingshun (2014b). Translator's Behavior Criticism: Path Exploration [M]. Beijing: Commercial Press, 2014.
[12]Hewson, L. An Approach to Translation Criticism: Emma and Madame Bovary in Translation, Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Co.
[13]Bassnett, S., & Lefevere, A. (1990). Translation, History and Culture. London/New York: Pinter Publishers.
[14]Wolf, M., & Xu Jun. (2005). The Social Turn in Translation Studies.
[15]Huang, Q., & Xin, X. (2021). Translator Behavior Criticism: Emphasizing the Role, Agency, and Identity of the Translator in the Translation Process.
[16]Taylor, C. (1989). Sources of the Self: The Making of the Modern Identity. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
[17]Zhang, Y. (2011). Intra-Translation and Extra-Translation: Linguistic and Contextual Factors in Translation.
[18]Lefevere, A. Translation, Rewriting and the Manipulation of Literary Fame. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Education Press, 2004.
[19]Zhou Lingshun (2014a). Translator's Behavior Criticism: Theoretical Framework. Beijing: Commercial Press, 2014.
[20]Shao, L. (2011). Goldblatt's Translation and the Global Profile of Mo Yan: Contributions to the Visibility of Chinese Literature in the West.
[21]Newmark, P. (2002). A Textbook of Translation. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.Mo Yan. Red Sorghum[M]. Translated by Howard Goldblatt. London: ArrowBooks, 2003:29.
[22]Mo Yan. Red Sorghum[M]. Translated by Howard Goldblatt. London: Arrow Books, 2003:60.
[23]Goldblatt, H. (2003). Red Sorghum (Mo Yan). London: Arrow Books, p. 42.
[24]Mo Yan. Red Sorghum[M]. Translated by Howard Goldblatt. London: Arrow Books, 2003:96.
[25]Mo Yan. Red Sorghum[M]. Translated by Howard Goldblatt. London: Arrow Books, 2003:109.
[26]Stalling, J. The Voice of the Translator: An Interview with Howard Goldblatt [J]. Translation Review, 2014 (88): 1—12.
[27]Zhang Dan-Dan, Liu Zequan. An Exploration of Howard Goldblatt's Style in Translating Chinese Literature — Based on Historical, Quantitative, and Textual Analysis Perspectives [J]. Foreign Language & Audio-Visual Teaching, 2019(04).
[28]Meng Xiangchun. Translation and Fidelity: A Study on Howard Goldblatt's Translation of Red Sorghum [J]. Chinese Translators Journal, 2014(3): 45-52.
[29]Wang Kan. The Reception of Red Sorghum in the English-Speaking World [J]. Journal of Chinese Literary Studies, 2012(3): 45-53.
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