Modern Social Science Research

In traditional translation theory, the role of the translator was often marginalized, with translators being regarded as “servants” of the source text, confined to the task of faithfully conveying the original content, thus lacking the manifestation of subjectivity. This perspective treated translation as a mechanical linguistic conversion activity, overlooking the creative role of translators in the translation process. In recent years, with the emergence of the “cultural turn” in translation studies, the status of translators has significantly improved. This paper, based on George Steiner’s four-step translation theory, conducts an in-depth analysis of Xu Yuanchong’s English translation of “Three Hundred Tang Poems.” It explores how translators demonstrate their subjectivity through the four steps of trust, aggression, incorporation, and restitution, revealing the active role translators play in linguistic transformation and cultural transmission. The research not only promotes a shift in the understanding of the translator’s role but also provides new perspectives and references for the study of English translations of classical Chinese poetry. Furthermore, it enriches the theoretical framework of translation studies and injects new vitality into the field.

George Steiner; Four-step translation theory; Translator’s subjectivity; Three Hundred Tang Poems