ABSTRACT
Translation vacillates between proximity and distance, with the latter taking precedence and emerging as a dynamic, multivalent force at work. The pursuit of proximity is achieved by coping with or adjusting to distance. The glaring linguistic and cultural distance between Chinese and English is widely recognized to constitute a formidable impediment. A temporal distance that exists between source and target texts is an unavoidable consideration when translation is initiated. In addition, linguistic and cultural distance offers grounds for acculturation, and can justify some degree of domestication as well. Distance and displacement within a multi-temporal space are deeply intertwined, and moreover, the distance between the author and the source text reader and the distance between the author and the target reader can be rather different in various ways. Since distance is also marked by dislocation, it generates alienation. Despite the overt desirability to minimize the distance between source and target texts as a gesture to reduce disparities between two languages and cultural values, spatial distance together with temporal distance is bound to change constantly, the adjustment of which is essential to the performativity of translation.
