The state of translation

Abstract: This thesis investigates the translations of seven contemporary western works of literature into Chinese. The translations are analysed using the translation analysis method used by David van der Peet in his analysis of the translation of The Lord of The Rings into Chinese applying concepts and criteria formulated by the translation theorists Walter Benjamin, Eugene Nida and Paolo Bartolini. This thesis argues that both the concepts of Walter Benjamin and Eugene Nida are practically applicable. None of the works analysed seem to be untranslatable as this concept is defined by Walter Benjamin. Instead, inferior translations are the result of simple mistakes by the translators or that the translators were unable to understand the original. Some of the translations analysed are of a very high quality. In this study the application of Nida’s and Benjamin’s criteria leads to identical conclusions regarding the quality of the translations although some of Nida’s criteria and statements regarding translation analysis seem questionable.