1 Introduction

This article introduces the dissemination history and research status of Lu Xun's works in the English speaking world, and points out the shortcomings of existing research on the impact of translator narrative intervention on thematic meaning and target language readers' interpretation. The article takes four English translations of "The Diary of a Madman" as the research object, and explores the influence of sponsorship mechanisms of publishing institutions and cultural identity and translation motivation differences of translators in different historical periods on narrative reconstruction from the perspective of translation narrative theory. The aim is to reveal how translators intervene to reshape the critical theme of the original work and the English world's understanding of Lu Xun and his works.

Translation Narrative Reconstruction Theory

Introduced Baker's (2006) theory of translation narrative reconstruction, emphasizing the constructiveness and political implications of narrative. The constructiveness of narrative is reflected in four core characteristics: temporality, relevance, causal plot setting, and selective use. Timeliness refers to the temporal and spatial sequence of narrative elements and their historical significance; Relevance involves the harmonization and matching of narrative elements; Causal plot setting conveys viewpoints through the plot; Selective use of value based event selection to construct narratives. Translation can redefine the narrative and add political significance to the target language text through methods such as spatiotemporal framing, selective framing, label framing, and participant repositioning.

3 Translation Selection and Analysis Framework

This chapter discusses the selection and analysis framework of four English translations of 'The Madman's Diary'. The reason for choosing these four translations is: 1) "The Diary of a Madman" is a foundational work of modern Chinese literature, with literary history and translation studies value; 2) The four translations have had extensive influence in different historical periods; 3) Translation has representative characteristics, such as different historical periods, the nature of publishing institutions, and translator models. In terms of research methodology, using Beck's theory of translation narrative reconstruction as a framework, this study examines the reconstruction of the original narrative by the translated text from three dimensions: selective framing, label framing, and participant repositioning. The study analyzes the impact on the thematic meaning of the work and the target language readers' reading, and explores the main motivations for the translator to reconstruct the narrative during the translation process.

Analysis of Narrative Reconstruction in Four Translations

An in-depth analysis was conducted on the differences in narrative reconstruction among the four English translations of 'The Madman's Diary'. Firstly, the selective use of the preface content was explored, and it was found that the Lai translation deleted key information such as the naming of the madman's illness, the explanation of the diary's "not touching the moon and day", and the origin of the novel title. These deletions affected the symbolic meaning of the novel and the interpretation of the essence of "cannibalism". Secondly, the tag choices between the core narrative elements of "cannibalism" and "ferocity" were analyzed, and it was pointed out that the vocabulary used in different translations had an impact on the narrative focus and interpretive framework. Lai and Lan used words such as Cannibal (ism) and Savage to reinforce the barbaric nature and literal meaning of the "cannibalistic" behavior. Finally, the repositioning of narrative participants was discussed, including the reconstruction of interpersonal relationships at the intra text and sub text levels, as well as the impact of annotations on the distance between target language readers and the textual world. Wang Yi, Yang Yi, and Lan Yi's annotations focus on avoiding cultural misunderstandings, while Lai Yi's annotations may deepen cultural misunderstandings and affect the target language readers' understanding of Chinese culture.

5 factors that affect narrative reconstruction

The translators of the four English translations intervened in the narrative at different levels, embedding their own voices and varying degrees of narrative reconstruction. The narrative reconstruction degree of Lai Yi and Lan Yi is relatively high, while Wang Yi and Yang Yi are relatively less obvious. The cultural background of the translator, the temporal and spatial context of the target language culture, the nature of the publishing institution, and the translation motivation are the main driving forces that affect narrative reconstruction. As sinologists, Lyle and Lan Shiling were influenced by the concept of China as the cultural "other" in the target language culture, and added Western centric implications to their translation. One of Yang's translators, Dai Naidi, was less influenced by the stereotype of China as the cultural "other" in the target language culture, and collaborated on translation under the government's translation mode, which was constrained by the ideology of the collaborating translators and publishing houses. When Lai Yi was published, it was during a time of tense relations between China and the United States, with negative public narratives about China. On the other hand, Lan Yi was published in the era of globalization, with relatively positive relations between China and the United States. The cultural and temporal context of the target language has a certain impact on narrative reconstruction, but it is not a decisive factor. The continuous revision of annotations in different versions by Yang Yi indicates that the translator consciously avoids cultural misunderstandings and guides the target language readers to form a Chinese cultural cognition that goes beyond stereotypes. Wang Yi and Lan Yi were published by British and American publishers during the period of active development of Sino US/Sino Western relations, while Wang Yi and Lai Yi were sponsored by publishing institutions of the same nature. However, Wang Yi and Yang Yi have no similarities in these two aspects, but both show unclear ideological reconstruction characteristics. The translator's translation motivation significantly constrains their narrative reconstruction approach.

6 Conclusion

Baker emphasized that the act of translation itself has a reconstructive significance, as translators, publishers, editors, and others work together to reconstruct the narrative of the source language text and influence the political implications of the target language text. By analyzing the four English translations of "A Madman's Diary", it is found that the theory of narrative reconstruction in translation has limitations. The new temporal and spatial context of the target language culture is not a decisive factor, and ideological reconstruction is not an inevitable result. Refactoring is the result of the linkage of complex factors such as sponsor ideology, translator cultural background, translation motivation, and target language cultural new temporal and spatial context. In the tense and negative temporal and spatial context of the target language culture, native language translators sponsored by opposing ideological publishing institutions are more likely to lead to narrative ideological reconstruction. In the context of China's cultural "going global", sinologists sponsored by authoritative publishing institutions in the target language culture are seen as an ideal translator model, but the strengthening of negative perceptions of China by the United States may lead to distorted narrative reconstruction. Therefore, cooperation between Chinese translators and sinologists should be encouraged to balance the dual goals of reconstructing Chinese cultural/ethnic images and improving translation effectiveness.