La traducció de la interculturalitat. Anàlisi dels elements interculturals a Weicheng i la seva traducció a diferents entorns culturals europeus

Abstract

In the field of translation studies a distinction is commonly made between the linguistic code – the text – and the cultural elements that appear in that text. The problem has therefore been to find the most appropriate form of language – loanwords, calques, expansion – to transfer these elements so that that the reader can fully understand the text. Consequently, a need has arisen to classify the elements into clearly defined categories. However, nobody has ever questioned why such a distinction must be made, or even if it is necessary from an academic point of view, or the consequences that it may have. This research, based on a theoretical focus (translation as a starting point) that aims to go beyond the commonly accepted translation theories, is centred on the novel by Qian Zhongshu, ‘Weicheng’ 《围城》 and its translations into Spanish and English. The aims of the research are, firstly, to question the distinction described above and secondly, to propose new instruments of analysis for conceptualising translation in all its magnitude. To achieve these objectives the object of study is limited to a series of elements from the literary knowledge and traditions of the Euro-American cultural environment which are introduced systematically and intentionally into the novel. An analysis of these elements, referred to as ‘intercultural elements’, the most significant example of which is undoubtedly the title itself ‘Weicheng’, offers a series of results that allow translation to be conceived of not just as an instrument for the commutation of languages, or a simple means of acquiring knowledge of a specific culture, but rather as a complex and powerful tool for literary and intercultural globalisation.

Date of Award	18 Oct 2010
Original language	Catalan
Supervisor	Sean Valentine Golden . (Director)