Lu Xun’s (1881-1936) conception of Literal Translation as impulse of vernacular Language (baihua) and new literature in China

Abstract

From the mid-nineteenth century, China began to confront the hegemony and the invasion of Western powers. Some intellectuals in China used translation as a tool to introduce Western knowledge, especially studies of technology and philosophy, promoting the modernization of Chinese society. Other intellectuals took translation of foreign literatures as a literary evolution and attempted to enhance the importance of vernacular language, Baihua, in Chinese literature. among the intellectuals, Lu Xun (1881-1936) believed that “literal translation” text was a method to promote the usage of vernacular language. By doing so, literature written in vernacular language instead of classical language could be more appreciated by the readership, and people could be further educated through reading these texts. at the same time, Lu Xun as a translator shows a certain degree of ideological manipulation. The selected works translated by Lu Xun generally focused on main characters who suffered social injustice. Through reading, Lu Xun wanted the Chinese readership to learn social issues from these literary works. In contemporary translation theory, the concept of “foreignization” raised by Lawrence Venuti also echoes “literal translation”. Both Venuti and Lu Xun opposed the translation which follows the readership’s reading habit in order to be more fluid and readable for them. The reason is that the translations with exotic flavor or unfamiliar words can create an impact and help the integration of foreign into local culture. Moreover, the “manipulation” of literal translation by Lu Xun is to promote the development of Chinese language and literature and to save the country as a mission. For Venuti, “foreignization” is a way to criticize the hegemony derived from English speaking culture and to be against the hegemonic domination.