Master Thesis Graduate Institute of Translation and Interpretation
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Master Thesis Graduate Institute of Translation and Interpretation National Taiwan Normal University Translating Psychoanalysis: The Interpretation of Dreams in Mulholland Drive and Inception Advisor: Dr. Hsiu-chuan Lee Hsin-yi Tsai July 2018 ) interdisciplinary translation intermedium translation 、 Sigmund Freud ! The Interpretation of Dreams 》 David Lynch 「 Mulholland Drive (」 Christopher Nolan Inception )) ! ;! ! : 、 double psychoanalytic film theory 、 「 latent dream-thought manifest dream-content the dream-work ) condensation displacement representation secondary revision 「 」 、 」。 」 i ii 《 、 、 、、 ) ; iii Abstract With further development in the field of translation, recent studies have discovered that the act of translation appears in various forms. In this thesis, I propose the ideas of “interdisciplinary translation” and “intermedium translation” and discuss these two types of translation by examining how film texts translate psychoanalytic concepts. Based on my research on Sigmund Freud’s dream theory in The Interpretation of Dreams and examining two contemporary films—David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive and Christopher Nolan’s Inception, this thesis aims to study the process of translating dream concepts from psychoanalysis into cinema. This thesis is divided into five chapters. Chapter One sets up the framework of this thesis by discussing the relationship between translation, psychoanalysis and cinema. I point out that psychoanalysis is a form of translation process and cinema is a medium for translation. The process of psychoanalysis is similar to that of translation: just as translators aim to translate the source text into the target text, psychoanalysts attempt to translate one’s unconscious and dreams into a narrative. During the translation process, translators must first understand the language and meaning of the source text, and then re-express the source text using a language that is comprehensible to their readers. Psychoanalysts often use spoken or written words to express their interpretation of dreams while cinema can imitate the workings of the mind. Thus, I propose that cinema should be considered as a more appropriate form of media for translating psychoanalytic concepts, such as dreams. Chapter Two reviews the interplay of psychoanalysis and cinema in history. Inspired by the techniques of cinema, some psychoanalysts further explore certain psychoanalytic concepts, such as the double. Meanwhile, cinema is also indebted to psychoanalysis. For example, some theorists examine how psychoanalytic thoughts are incorporated into cinematic studies, forming a new field of study known as psychoanalytic film theory. In addition, many film directors are interested in incorporating psychoanalytic concepts and portraying psychoanalytic treatment process in their works. Chapter Three introduces Freudian dream theory and analyzes the ways Lynch translated dream theory in Mulholland Drive. Freud conceived that dreams consist of latent dream-thoughts and manifest dream-content; the former is transformed into the latter through “dream-work,” which includes condensation, displacement, representation and secondary revision. In Mulholland Drive, Lynch created the protagonist’s dream and her waking life. His iv translat ion of the protagonist’s waking life into dreams can be understood through a comparison of the elements that appear in both the dream and the waking life. I observe that Lynch’s translation of dream-work complies with Freudian dream theory. Chapter Four analyzes the ways Nolan translated Freud’s dream theory in Inception as well as his exploration of innovative dream concepts, such as the influence between different dream layers in dreams-within-dreams. I also analyze Nolan’s cinematic techniques, such as the use of a simple cut to imitate the entry and exit of a dream. Based on these analyses, I conclude that Mulholland Drive and Inception are good examples of interdisciplinary translation and intermedium translation. “Interdisciplinary translation” refers to the translation from discipline A to discipline B; and “intermedium translation” refers to the translation from medium A into medium B. Investigating the translation of dreams from psychoanalysis to cinema, this thesis expands the scope of “translation” by shedding light on both interdisciplinary and intermedium translations. Keywords: interdisciplinary translation, intermedium translation, psychoanalysis, dream, Keywords: film text, contemporary cinema v Table of Contents Chapter One Introduction: Translation, Psychoanalysis, and Cinema ...........................................................1 Definitions of Translation Psychoanalysis as Translation Cinema as Translation Chapters Chapter Two Psychoanalysis and Cinema: A Historical Survey ..................................................................15 Early Developments Psychoanalytic Film Theory Contemporary Psychoanalytic Films Chapter Three Between Waking Life and Dreams: David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive ..................................35 The Formation of Dreams Translating Waking Life into Dreams in Mulholland Drive Chapter Four Between Established Dream Theories and Innovative Dream Concepts: Christopher Nolan’s Inception ................................................................................................53 Examples from Inception New Concepts of Dreams Chapter Five Conclusion .......................................................................................................73 Works Cited ..........................................................................................................................77 Films Cited ..........................................................................................................................85 vi Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to thank my thesis advisor, Professor Hsiu-chuan Lee, with all my heart. Professor Lee has always been there giving me invaluable guidance and suggestions, ensuring that I stay on course and do not deviate from the core of my research. I have also learned from her that “it is essential to learn to clarify and organize my thoughts through the process of writing and rewriting.” During the process of research, I have learned from her not only methods for conducting academic researches but also approaches to life. Thank you, Professor Lee, for your continuous support, patience, motivation and immense knowledge that help me carry through this research and complete it satisfactorily. I take immense pleasure in thanking Professor Ken-fang Lee, a thesis committee member and an encouraging teacher. It is Professor Lee’s course Film and Translation that triggered my interest in academic research and opened my eyes to see a broadening field of translation studies. Throughout the time of our discussions, Professor Lee has given me many stimulating and constructive ideas; and after each discussion, my mind has become clearer. Therefore, I owe my sincere thanks to Professor Lee. I would like to express my gratitude to my thesis committee member, Professor Chi- wen Liu at Fu Jen University. Professor Liu has provided detailed and insightful comments that are very helpful to perfecting my thesis. It is such a great honor to be able to have Professor Liu as my thesis committee member. I also take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the teachers at Graduate Institute of Translation and Interpretation (GITI) at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU): Bijou Chen, Daniel Hu, Sharon Lai, Posen Liao and Carlos G. Tee. Each and every course that I took at GITI has greatly motivated me to further explore issues related to not just translation but also many others. I have received enormous benefits from the curriculum at NTNU, and I am obliged to all my teachers for their instruction and encouragement. I would like to thank my dear friends: Chloe and Evon, thank you for exchanging useful thoughts and keeping company with me during the writing process; Katie and Margaret, thank you for lending a helping hand to “translate” my thoughts and make my words more comprehensible to the readers. Furthermore, my thanks to Kirsten, Scott, Jessi, Chloe, Meixin, Ingrid, Rita and many others for giving substantial help as well as emotional support. vii Last but not least, I would like to thank my parents for supporting me unconditionally through my life. Thank you for your wholehearted parenting and caring, allowing me to fully concentrate on my studies. My parents are my think tank—each time after talks with them, I am greatly inspired and I have learned so much from them. Without my beloved parents, this work would not have been possible and I shall eternally be grateful to them for their support. 。 , Chapter One Introduction: Translation, Psychoanalysis, and Cinema Translation studies is an emerging interdiscipline that tends to draw on thoughts from various fields. Early development of translation studies in the 1950s drew on theories from linguistics and comparative literature; and translation studies at that time mainly focused on textual analysis. In the late 20th century, the Cultural Turn in translation made the focus of research shift from language and text to the context of works and the subjectivity of translators; influences from other domains such as hermeneutics, post-colonialism, and feminism were also obvious. In recent years, various forms of translation have been