英语论文网

Influences of Different Cultures in Translation by Analyzing Hong Lou Meng 's Two English Versions
Abstract: This paper compared the two English versions of Chinese ancient novel of Hong Lou Meng. One is translated by David Hawkes and John Minford, the other by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang. Through the comparison, it explains that cultural factors play an important role in translation.
Key words: cultural difference; language; thoughts; address; cultural images
摘要：文章以《红楼梦》第三回两个英译版本为例，从东西方文化差异出发，从译者的思维方式、文化背景、风俗习惯、文化意象四方面来体现文化差异对翻译的影响。
关键词：文化差异，语言，思维，称谓语，文化意象

Introduction
Despite changes of history, Chinese people’s love towards Hong Lou Meng never declines. Meanwhile, Hong Lou Meng has been spread wide abroad along with the development of cultural exchanges between China and other countries. People, whatever language they speak and whatever different customs they have, will all be deeply fascinated with Hong Lou Meng if they get chance to know this novel. It is the Chinese unique culture that makes them infatuated. Culture enthusiasts as well as investigators of China and Western countries can not only appreciate the beauty and cultivate taste, but also can have a good knowledge of the previous life and history described in this book.
Chinese culture is unique and has its own system, which makes great contributions to the human civilization worldwide. The novel, Hong Lou Meng, involves nearly every aspect of Chinese culture. They can be summarized as follows: folk custom of seasons and festivals, folk custom of weddings and funerals folk custom of food, clothing, shelter and transportation, folk custom of religious belief, folk custom of entertainment, folk custom of life and family rite and folk of language, etc.
Therefore, the thesis takes Chapter Three in Hong Lou Meng as study object and chooses two authoritative English versions: A Dream of Red Mansions translated by Yang Xianyi and The Story of the Stone translated by David Hawkes as comparative objects. By comparing these two English versions of Hong Lou Meng, this essay shows that cultural differences play an important role in translation.

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