Title: Self-Criticism of Translation: The Deviant Writing of Translation Criticism from 1950 to 1954

Abstract: As a cultural phenomenon, self-criticism has drawn more and more research. The research is almost carried out in modern and contemporary literary fields, covering the analysis of its origin, features and effects, while neglecting translation. Actually, 1950 to 1954 witnessed many self-criticisms of translation. In response to others’ criticism or based on their own awareness, some translators, proofreaders or translation organizations delivered their self-criticism of translation to respond, rectify, criticize or even deny their former translation activities or concepts so as to renew their translation attitude and determination, thus displaying to us a deviant writing of translation criticism. By digging the historical context of criticism of literature and art during these 5 years, and based on the materials of self-criticism of translation from The People’s Daily and Fanyitongbao, this paper gives a detailed description of self-criticism of translation in terms of its subject, discourse logic, effects and cultural origin. This research can help touch the mental world and emotional complexity of those who are involved in self-criticism of translation and further understand the political culture at that time. Moreover, it can help understand the diversity and multi-facets of translation criticism in a particular period, thus widening our horizon in translation criticism.

Keywords: self-criticism of translation, translation criticism, deviant writing

Author: Jinshu Li, Professor, College of Translation and Interpreting, Sichuan International Studies University, Chongqing, China.