A Descriptive Study of Howard Goldblatt's Translation of Red Sorghum With Reference to Translational Norms

Abstract

This research seeks to provide a descriptive study of the English translation of the breakthrough Chinese novel Red Sorghum by Mo Yan. The novel is a prime example for the research into strategies and norms in translation within a Chinese-English framework for three main reasons. Firstly, due to the huge impact the novel has had in terms of its truth-telling about the Sino-Japanese War (1937 - 1945) in China. Secondly, because of Mo Yan's unique non-linear writing style, and thirdly for the fact that the novel was translated by Howard Goldblatt, who is an American native English speaker, which is fairly rare in terms of ChineseEnglish translations. This research seeks not only to provide a descriptive study of Howard Goldblatt's English translation of the breakthrough Chinese novel but also to explore the strategies he employs during the translation process. An investigation is carried out to determine whether Goldblatt makes use of particular translation strategies and follows these approaches throughout the novel, thereby creating certain translational norms. Through primary research into the novel one would find that this is in fact the case. For example, he makes use of a domesticating approach in terms of translating Chinese cultural items, phrases, or terms. However, it is only through more in-depth research and a close comparison of the source and target texts, that one finds that Goldblatt does not in fact follow similar strategies in every instance but uses them sporadically throughout the novel according to the context or message that must be carried across. These discoveries are significant in that they are not entirely what is expected nor what is initially found by other scholars. Finally, the results of this research along with the descriptive study of the translation of Red Sorghum and the investigations into the translation strategies and norms at play during the translation process allow for better understanding of the translation process. Furthermore, the results show evidence that strategies can be used interchangeably to68 Introduction Red Sorghum, which was a breakthrough novel in China, was translated for the English target readership by a very well-known American translator, Howard Goldbatt. This research provides a descriptive study of the novel through delving into the translation strategies, decisions, and norms at play during the process of translation. The investigation and research into this novel are important due to several aspects. Firstly, the novel is set during the Sino-Japanese War (1937 - 1945) which resulted in a very historically and culturally based novel. Secondly, Mo Yan's writing style is unique in that he uses colloquial Chinese dialects throughout the novel and writes in a nonchronological order, moving back and forth in time, thereby creating a complex but interesting read. Thirdly, the novel is pioneering in that it was translated by an American native English speaker, who has little personal connection with Chinese history and culture. The combination of these factors allows the research into this novel to be significant and its findings of vital importance. The purpose of this research is to provide translators and experts in the field of translation with a better understanding of the translation process. The research problem is to determine the translation strategies, decisions, and norms at play during the translation process, thereby providing a descriptive study of the English translation of Red Sorghum. Through this research into the translation decisions made by Goldblatt, the translation strategies he employs, and hence the translational norms at play, one is able to better understand the translation process and provide a descriptive study of a novel that is indeed paramount in the world of Chinese-English translation. The article is structured as follows: an overview of the relevant literature with reference to translational norms; background of both the original author, Mo Yan, and of the translator, Howard Goldblatt; the writing style of the novel Red Sorghum is highlighted as well as Howard Goldblatt's approach to translation with special reference to the translation strategies and the applicable norms; a discussion relating to the comparison of extracts of the source text (henceforth ST) and target text (henceforth TT); and finally, concluding remarks on translational norms pertaining to the novel. Literature Review The main focus of this section will be on translation theorists, Gideon Toury (1995) and Andrew Chesterman (1993) and their norm theories which have had a profound impact produce satisfactory translations such as that of Goldblatt's English translation of the novel Red Sorghum.