From Theory to Practice: Translating Ying Chen's Les Lettres Chinoises

摘要: From Theory to Practice: Translating Ying Chen’s Les Lettres Chinoises Sunny A. Hendry Department of French, BYU Master Arts This thesis analyzes through the lenses literary translation, migrant writing and epistolary genres, as well critical theory poetics in order inform a translation said novel from French into English. theoretical groundwork is accompanied by analysis process including specifications, methods used, justifications for decisions. second novel, written rather than her native Chinese language. Spanning fifty-seven letter exchange between Shanghai Montreal, choice write language other first, themes presented such emigration, exile, identity, Otherness, render ideal discussion domain theory. any exophonic text presents particular challenges translator these difficulties enrich both an understanding genre. Inherent negotiating transparency (foreignization versus domestication) cultural traces that speak traditions realities. unique among texts however, because she privileges voice use genre, form bespeaks 19 century Western tradition. Her this genre provides insight shaped encourage reader consider, or reconsider, novel’s intent. contributes redefining enhancing each respectively. prerogatives viewed are varied: three letter-writing characters reenacts literal existential creates space enunciation writing, all while defining own poetic style another I negotiated creating subtly distinct evolving voices characters. used existing translations works create consistency accuracy. Included excerpts my final translation.