A study of explicitation in the Chinese version of Flipped from the perspective of transitivity analysis

• Main Author: Zhu, Yijie
• Other Authors: Lin Tzer Liang, Benedict Christopher
• Format: Thesis-Master by Coursework
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Arts and Humanities; Flipped; Explicitation; Children's literature; Transitivity; Systemic functional linguistics
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/178368
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The American novel Flipped, as a work of children’s literature, captivates and deeply moves readers worldwide with its themes of love and growth. Translators play a significant role in the appeal of the work and its reception by readers. In situations involving linguistic disparities and cultural differences, translators often employ the strategy of explicitation. This study examines the explicitation strategies employed in the Chinese translation of the novel Flipped and their impact on Chinese readers. Through an analysis of shifts in processes, participants, and vocabulary, using transitivity analysis within the framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), the study uncovers various explicitation strategies aimed at enhancing comprehension and emotional resonance for Chinese readers. The study findings indicate that explicitation, manifested in adjustments to sentence structures, emotional expression enhancement, cultural adaptation, metaphor and simile conversion by free translation, and lexical supplementation, narrowing and explanation in translated texts, enhances accessibility and reader engagement. However, challenges persist in maintaining fidelity to the original while ensuring clarity, resonance, and literary essence in the target language. The study underscores the vital role of translators in mediating cross-cultural communication, language learning and fostering a deeper understanding of literature among diverse audiences.