TITLE:
A Study of the Translation Patterns of Mythical Images of Chinese Mythology
AUTHORS:
Xiufen Wang, Xiaolin Zhao, Hai Wang
KEYWORDS:
Chinese Mythical Images, Translation Patterns, Soushen Ji, The Chinese Repository
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.10 No.10,
September
6,
2022
ABSTRACT: In the
early 19th century, western missionaries in China founded
periodicals like the Chinese Repository to introduce the social
situation, culture, and customs in China. In the Chinese Repository,
there are a large number of translations of Chinese traditional classic books
among which is Soushen Ji and translations of other mythical stories.
Mythical images of Chinese mythology are important parts of Soushen Ji because they are representative of Chinese culture and the embodiment of
Chinese aesthetics. The translators at that time use certain patterns to
translate the mythical images of Chines mythology in order to better introduce
Chinese culture and to help readers learn about what the original texts look
like. By analyzing the translated text in the Chinese Repository, it is
concluded that there are mainly four translation patterns. They are: Cantonese
Pinyin + liberal translation in English + background information; liberal
translation in English + Cantonese Pinyin + annotation; liberal translation in
English + annotation; pictures + Chinese meaning + Cantonese Pinyin + (liberal
translation in English) + background information. Against the background of
spreading Chinese culture overseas, figuring out an effective way to achieve
this goal is important. To discuss the translations by native translators can
not only help understand the translation strategies they apply but also provide
a reference for translation of Chinese mythology and other similar materials.