This paper applies the basic notions of Hans-Geord Gadamer s philosophical hermeneutics such as historical interpretation,fusion of horizons and effected history to literary translation.

This paper applies the basic notions of Hans-Geord Gadamer s philosophical hermeneutics-historical interpretation,fusion of horizons and effected history-to justify,in literary translation,the reasonableness and inevitability of reinterpretation.

Hans-Gadamer s philosophical hermeneutics has had a significant impact on traditional translation theories, as his three principles of“historical interpretation”, “fusion of horizons”and“effected history”have challenged the ideas of“author s intended meaning”,“author s authority”and“ultimate translated text”of traditional translation theories.

The present thesis mainly introduces some important principles of Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics: historicity of understanding, fusion of horizons and effective history, as well as their implication and guidance to the studies of translation including the impact on the misunderstanding, cultural filtering, rereading, rerendering and so on.

Conscious misreading is unavoidable in the process of translation and it has played a vital role in achieving the translator\'s expected result, owing to historicity of understanding, legitimate prejudice and fusion of horizons, in Gadamer\'s terms.

According to the principle of historical interpretation in philosophical hermeneutics,this paper analyzes material selection,characteristic translation and style of translation in poetry translation respectively from the angles of the historicity of interpreter,the prejudice of translator and the historicity of source text.