Open Access
American Research Journal of English and Literature
ISSN (Online): 2378-9026
DOI: 10.46568/arjel
A Comparative Study of Two Chinese Versions of Science Fiction Flowers for Algernon from the Perspective of Reception Aesthetics
Abstract
The Hugo Award for The Three-Body Problem has greatly contributed to the influence of China’s science fiction,
attracting a large number of potential readers. Compared to serious literature, science fiction places greater emphasis
on the scenario-based experience of readers. The introduction of reception aesthetics into translation demonstrates the
transformation from translators-centered approach to readers-centered approach. Thus, readers are constantly aligning
themselves with their own experience, emotion and interest rather than mechanically reading the text, showing a dynamic
relationship between the work and readers. In this sense, the translation studies of science fiction can be combined with
reception aesthetics. This paper, based on reception aesthetics, explores translation strategies of Flowers for Algernon
through a comparison of three concepts of horizon of expectations, appealing structure and implied readers and suggests
methods for better expectations by readers.
