Abstract：Abstract: From the perspective of “loyalty”, Lin Shu’s translated novels are abundant with mistranslation. Apart from the identity of being as a translator, Lin is reputed as an ancient prose writer, a painter and an educator as well. This study attempts to reconstruct Lin’s role as a “non-translator”, and reexamines the potential reasons for his mistranslation. Based on three logical and semantic relations of functional linguistics—elaboration, enhancement and extension, and by a thorough comparison of the original text, translated one and illustrations, we find that Lin’s painting thought is the paramount force leading to his mistranslation in Le Tour de La France Par Deux Enfants. Being a painter, Lin pays a full attention to illustrations in his translated novels and regards them as important clues in his translation. The inseparable “trinity” of writing, translating and painting is the prominent characteristics of Lin’s life. If Lin’s translation is viewed in isolation, and his literary identity or a painter’s vision is neglected, the claim that his translation is full of errors is unfair to him.
Key Words: Lin Shu; mistranslation; illustrations; Le Tour de La France Par Deux Enfants
