Limitation of Indirect Translation in Literary Works Case Study: the Thai Version of Wei Hui’s Shanghai Baby

Abstract

Literary translation is a cross-cultural communication activity. Its mission is to accurately transfer the original text into a target language. One of the greatest Chinese literary persons Mao Dun once wrote: “Translation is to make readers of the target language, while reading a translated work, receive the same inspiration, emotion and aesthetic as the readers of the source language do while reading the original.” (Fang Mengzhi, 2004) Literary translation can help introduce foreign cultures, social contexts and ideologies to readers of the target language. As a result, it can help promote a better understanding of and enrichment to the literature of both languages.
Literary works that are translation worthy appear in every corner of the world. Many valuable pieces are written in non-common language for which translators are insufficient in number. In this case, indirect translation is an unavoidable choice.
This essay points out the limitation of indirect translation of literary works by using contrastive analysis method to analyze the Thai version of famous Chinese novel Wei Hui’s Shanghai Baby （《上海宝贝》）. A best-selling novel translated from its English version.