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Abstract：Inspired by Eugene Nida’s dynamic equivalence theory，this thesis takes the translation of Samul Ullman’s work Youth as a case study.It explores the three translated versions of Mrs.Zhang Aiqing，Mr.Huang Ren and Mr.Xu Hanlin respectively.These versions are analyzed at the levels of lexicology，syntax，rhetoric，semasiology and style.Then it points out that the same effect on the target language readers are as the original text has done on the source language readers，in other words，it proves the efficiency of dynamic equivalence in the translation of Youth.
Key words：Youth；Dynamic Equivalence；Stylistic Equivalence
中圖分类号：G642 文献标志码：A 文章编号：1674-9324（2013）04-0199-03
ⅠIntroduction
Recently，great concerns about text analysis triggers placing emphasis on comparison between different versions to select the relatively best one under the guidance of certain translation theory.This thesis centers on applying Nida’s dynamic equivalence to analyze the translation style of Samuel Ulman’s work Youth，by comparing the three translated versions.According to the analyzed and compared examples among the three translated versions，one can easily make a conclusion that style translation is possible and feasible.
ⅡDynamic Equivalence
In Nida’s theory，dynamic equivalence is defined with receptors’response as its nature.In his attempt to define translating，Nida writes：“Translating consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalence of the source-language message，firstly in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style”.（Nida，1969）Hence，the importance of receptors’role in translating is emphasized，which is reader-oriented.
ⅢResearch Questions
The following two research questions should attach great importance to the in-depth study analyzing how the three Chinese versions of Youth adapted to the linguistic structures and the contexts：
（1）How to exercise the dynamic equivalence in analyzing different translated versions？
（2）What effect can be achieved by applying this principle？
Ⅳ Analysis of the Three Translated Versions of Youth
1.At the lexical level
Diction plays a significant role in transferring the spirit of literary works. In order to achieve it，the writer usually selects the most appropriate words to express his meaning. The following example illustrates how the translators successfully convey the spirit of the words with aesthetic effects via the analysis of the three versions by Zhang Aiqing （ZCV）， Huang Ren （HCV）and Xu Hanlin （XCV）respectively： Source Text：Youth is not a time of life；it is a state of mind.
ZCV：青春不完全是生命的一段歷程；它是一种心境。
HCV：青春不全是生命的一段时光，而是一种心境。
XCV：青春不是年华，而是心境。
In a word，they are concise in words but comprehensive in meaning，so are expressive enough to manifest a rich content，complex idea，vivid image，and so on.Then，XCV wins at the first round，conveying a magnificent message succinctly.
2.At the syntactic level
In linguistics，syntax refers to rules for the arrangement of words into sentences.Compared with the above-mentioned lexical level，syntax is of higher level，which helps a writer forms the general style of his work.Syntactic patterns are like the bones which shape the constitution of people’s bodies and support the weight.Source Text：Years may wrinkle the skin， but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
ZCV：岁月能摧皱皮肤，但放弃热忱却使心灵萎缩。
HCV：岁月可能会使皮肤泛起皱纹，但放弃对事物的热爱却会使灵魂萎缩。
XCV：岁月悠悠，衰微只及肌肤；热忱抛却，颓废必致灵魂。
Translation involves the conversion between two different languages，so the distinctions between these two languages should be first studied. According to the researchers of comparative linguistics puts forward that，“one of the most significant features distinguishing Chinese from English is that Chinese emphasizes parataxis in syntax，while English，hypostasis.”（2006：164）In his translation，HCV uses four-character for a time，which is pleasant to the ears but not faithful to the original test，especially the four-character “摧皱皮肤” is strange to Chinese people，only considering from the literal lever；translating “wrinkle the skin”word for word to “摧皱皮肤”takes no account of the distinction between Chinese and English both culturally and historically.Therefore，XCV is perfectly faithful to the original text and produces its unique styles of elegant expression in four-character phrases one after another.
3.At the rhetorical level
Pun，Parallelism and Comparison example：
When the aerials are down①，and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism②and the ice of pessimism②，then you are grown old，even at 20；but as long as your aerials are up①，to catch waves of optimism②，there is hope you may die young at 80.
ZCV：当这些电线已然断讯，而你心灵深处由被悲观以及愤世嫉俗的冰雪覆盖，这是，也唯有这时，你就真的变老了，否则，你也可以永葆年轻。
XCV：一旦天线倒塌，锐气便被冰雪覆盖，玩世不恭，自暴自弃油然而生，几时年方二十，实已垂垂老矣；然则只要竖起天线，捕抓乐观信号，你就有望在八十高龄告别尘寰时仍觉年轻。
This paragraph expresses the rich meaning in various rhetoric ways.To begin with，“aerials”hint the application of pun，on one hand，the practical aerial in our daily life，on the other hand，the attitude of us towards ups and downs under any circumstance.Secondly，the sentence structure is highly recommended in this passage，which belongs to parallel structure to beautify the whole passage.In the end，it should be highlined the importance of comparison，in italic form and its corresponding number to indicate the two pairs of sharp contrast. 4.At the semantic level
The semantic level equals to contextual meaning. That’s presentation of ideas in a given context refers not only to the organization methods for a passage but also to presentation of thoughts，ideas and concepts.To grasp the textual meaning is a key tool in analyzing the style of a given work for they can provide us an angle of the whole work.
ZCV：无论是六十岁还是十六岁，每个人心中都喜爱新鲜事物，对未来事物具有稚童般的无穷好奇，以及享受生活游戏的乐趣。
HCV：无论是六十岁还是十六岁，在每个人都心中都有对新奇事物的爱好，有孩童般不泯灭的天真向往以及对生活乐趣的无限追求。
XCV：无论年届花甲，抑或二八芳龄，心中皆有生命之欢乐，奇迹之诱惑，孩童般天真久盛不衰。
Only XCV applies dynamic equivalence among these three versions in both meaning and style，for the simple reason that “Whether 60 or 16”，here does not mean the concrete age of humans，but the specific time concerning on the young hood and the old times，unfortunately both ZCV and HCV misunderstood it unconsciously. Similarly，“the joy of the game of living”does not signify the game indeed；nevertheless，ZCV once again fell into error that translated into the real game finally.Carefully weighing in mind，I recognize only XCV ranks higher translating level over the rest two translated versions.The truth lies in that he forms his own special style，which is in line with the contextual meaning in concise but rich expression.
5.At the stylistic level
Recasting is to recreate the significance of styles，which belongs to the highest-level style translation. As far as we have discussed transference of aesthetic values in terms of context and semantic adjustment.An adorable translation should also be based on a full comprehension of context. Source Text：It is the freshness of the deep spring of life.
ZCV：它是生命深處源泉的生机。
HCV：青春是生命清新的源泉。
XCV：青春是生命的深泉在涌流。
Essentially，the study of language can’t be separate from its context. As Robert J. Waller （2004：92）in his The Bridge of Madison County says，“Analysis destroys wholes. Some magic things are meant to stay whole.If you look at their pieces，they go away”.His assertion shows that it is of great importance to appreciate the beauty of a literary work as a whole adhering to its context.Take，ZCV，as an example，’freshness’ is rendered as“生机”，here it is quite inflexible and awkward for transferring like that，kind of word for word. However，the second one is much better and within our acceptance.Attention should be paid to master XCV，indeed a natural version.
6.Comparison of the versions at different equivalence levels
Key words：Youth；Dynamic Equivalence；Stylistic Equivalence
中圖分类号：G642 文献标志码：A 文章编号：1674-9324（2013）04-0199-03
ⅠIntroduction
Recently，great concerns about text analysis triggers placing emphasis on comparison between different versions to select the relatively best one under the guidance of certain translation theory.This thesis centers on applying Nida’s dynamic equivalence to analyze the translation style of Samuel Ulman’s work Youth，by comparing the three translated versions.According to the analyzed and compared examples among the three translated versions，one can easily make a conclusion that style translation is possible and feasible.
ⅡDynamic Equivalence
In Nida’s theory，dynamic equivalence is defined with receptors’response as its nature.In his attempt to define translating，Nida writes：“Translating consists in reproducing in the receptor language the closest natural equivalence of the source-language message，firstly in terms of meaning and secondly in terms of style”.（Nida，1969）Hence，the importance of receptors’role in translating is emphasized，which is reader-oriented.
ⅢResearch Questions
The following two research questions should attach great importance to the in-depth study analyzing how the three Chinese versions of Youth adapted to the linguistic structures and the contexts：
（1）How to exercise the dynamic equivalence in analyzing different translated versions？
（2）What effect can be achieved by applying this principle？
Ⅳ Analysis of the Three Translated Versions of Youth
1.At the lexical level
Diction plays a significant role in transferring the spirit of literary works. In order to achieve it，the writer usually selects the most appropriate words to express his meaning. The following example illustrates how the translators successfully convey the spirit of the words with aesthetic effects via the analysis of the three versions by Zhang Aiqing （ZCV）， Huang Ren （HCV）and Xu Hanlin （XCV）respectively： Source Text：Youth is not a time of life；it is a state of mind.
ZCV：青春不完全是生命的一段歷程；它是一种心境。
HCV：青春不全是生命的一段时光，而是一种心境。
XCV：青春不是年华，而是心境。
In a word，they are concise in words but comprehensive in meaning，so are expressive enough to manifest a rich content，complex idea，vivid image，and so on.Then，XCV wins at the first round，conveying a magnificent message succinctly.
2.At the syntactic level
In linguistics，syntax refers to rules for the arrangement of words into sentences.Compared with the above-mentioned lexical level，syntax is of higher level，which helps a writer forms the general style of his work.Syntactic patterns are like the bones which shape the constitution of people’s bodies and support the weight.Source Text：Years may wrinkle the skin， but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
ZCV：岁月能摧皱皮肤，但放弃热忱却使心灵萎缩。
HCV：岁月可能会使皮肤泛起皱纹，但放弃对事物的热爱却会使灵魂萎缩。
XCV：岁月悠悠，衰微只及肌肤；热忱抛却，颓废必致灵魂。
Translation involves the conversion between two different languages，so the distinctions between these two languages should be first studied. According to the researchers of comparative linguistics puts forward that，“one of the most significant features distinguishing Chinese from English is that Chinese emphasizes parataxis in syntax，while English，hypostasis.”（2006：164）In his translation，HCV uses four-character for a time，which is pleasant to the ears but not faithful to the original test，especially the four-character “摧皱皮肤” is strange to Chinese people，only considering from the literal lever；translating “wrinkle the skin”word for word to “摧皱皮肤”takes no account of the distinction between Chinese and English both culturally and historically.Therefore，XCV is perfectly faithful to the original text and produces its unique styles of elegant expression in four-character phrases one after another.
3.At the rhetorical level
Pun，Parallelism and Comparison example：
When the aerials are down①，and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism②and the ice of pessimism②，then you are grown old，even at 20；but as long as your aerials are up①，to catch waves of optimism②，there is hope you may die young at 80.
ZCV：当这些电线已然断讯，而你心灵深处由被悲观以及愤世嫉俗的冰雪覆盖，这是，也唯有这时，你就真的变老了，否则，你也可以永葆年轻。
XCV：一旦天线倒塌，锐气便被冰雪覆盖，玩世不恭，自暴自弃油然而生，几时年方二十，实已垂垂老矣；然则只要竖起天线，捕抓乐观信号，你就有望在八十高龄告别尘寰时仍觉年轻。
This paragraph expresses the rich meaning in various rhetoric ways.To begin with，“aerials”hint the application of pun，on one hand，the practical aerial in our daily life，on the other hand，the attitude of us towards ups and downs under any circumstance.Secondly，the sentence structure is highly recommended in this passage，which belongs to parallel structure to beautify the whole passage.In the end，it should be highlined the importance of comparison，in italic form and its corresponding number to indicate the two pairs of sharp contrast. 4.At the semantic level
The semantic level equals to contextual meaning. That’s presentation of ideas in a given context refers not only to the organization methods for a passage but also to presentation of thoughts，ideas and concepts.To grasp the textual meaning is a key tool in analyzing the style of a given work for they can provide us an angle of the whole work.
ZCV：无论是六十岁还是十六岁，每个人心中都喜爱新鲜事物，对未来事物具有稚童般的无穷好奇，以及享受生活游戏的乐趣。
HCV：无论是六十岁还是十六岁，在每个人都心中都有对新奇事物的爱好，有孩童般不泯灭的天真向往以及对生活乐趣的无限追求。
XCV：无论年届花甲，抑或二八芳龄，心中皆有生命之欢乐，奇迹之诱惑，孩童般天真久盛不衰。
Only XCV applies dynamic equivalence among these three versions in both meaning and style，for the simple reason that “Whether 60 or 16”，here does not mean the concrete age of humans，but the specific time concerning on the young hood and the old times，unfortunately both ZCV and HCV misunderstood it unconsciously. Similarly，“the joy of the game of living”does not signify the game indeed；nevertheless，ZCV once again fell into error that translated into the real game finally.Carefully weighing in mind，I recognize only XCV ranks higher translating level over the rest two translated versions.The truth lies in that he forms his own special style，which is in line with the contextual meaning in concise but rich expression.
5.At the stylistic level
Recasting is to recreate the significance of styles，which belongs to the highest-level style translation. As far as we have discussed transference of aesthetic values in terms of context and semantic adjustment.An adorable translation should also be based on a full comprehension of context. Source Text：It is the freshness of the deep spring of life.
ZCV：它是生命深處源泉的生机。
HCV：青春是生命清新的源泉。
XCV：青春是生命的深泉在涌流。
Essentially，the study of language can’t be separate from its context. As Robert J. Waller （2004：92）in his The Bridge of Madison County says，“Analysis destroys wholes. Some magic things are meant to stay whole.If you look at their pieces，they go away”.His assertion shows that it is of great importance to appreciate the beauty of a literary work as a whole adhering to its context.Take，ZCV，as an example，’freshness’ is rendered as“生机”，here it is quite inflexible and awkward for transferring like that，kind of word for word. However，the second one is much better and within our acceptance.Attention should be paid to master XCV，indeed a natural version.
6.Comparison of the versions at different equivalence levels