Wu_Guo_Translating_WordPlay_University of Western Sydney.pptVIP

WU, Guo School of Humanities and Languages University of Western Sydney This paper explores how a pragmatic approach facilitates translating word play in literary works, resulting in appropriate renditions that retain the prominent formal features as well as the pragmatic force of the word play in the source text. Attention on both: the signified; the play of signifiers. To preserve as much as possible the pragmatic force; the formal features; the semantic substance. A “strong, forceful translation that values experimentation, tampers with usage, seeks to match the polyvalencies or plurivocities or expressive stresses of the original by producing its own” (Lewis 1985:41) A more positive and creative role of translators: “ No longer how to avoid the failures”, “ but rather how to compensate for losses”. (Lewis 1985:42) To supply what is inevitably lacking in translation due to disparity between the source and target languages. Prioritise elements involved according to their pragmatic significance; Identify the key pragmatic feature; Find a signifier(s) in the TL that can represent the key feature and accommodate other features. Adapt minor features as required by the play around the key signifier(s). Toasting Being Bee ‘We’re having a toast’, she said to him, ‘to Nick and me.’ ‘Toast with what? Jam? I hope it’s not strawberry. I can’t eat strawberries….’ “我们正在敬酒，敬给尼克和我 ”，洁斯对他说 。 “吃什么吐司？果酱吗？我希望不是草莓的。我不吃草莓的，…” ‘We’re having a toast’, she said to him, ‘to Nick and me.’ ‘Toast with what? Jam? I hope it’s not strawberry. I can’t eat strawberries …’ “我们正要干杯呢，” 洁斯对他说 ，“为尼克和我 。” “干贝加什么？糖醋汁吗？我希望没有李子酱。我不吃李子。……” Being Bee: a story about a teenage girl called Bee at a time of major change in her life. Bea - Beatrice Bee Be – ‘To be or not to be.’ Been – ‘To be is a been.’ [Bee:] ‘My name’s Bee.’… [Harley:] ‘To be or not to be.’ He leant forward so his head was quite close to mine. ‘The question, little Bee, are you or are not?’ [