The Combination of Functional Equivalence and Cultural Translation--Looking at the Translation Strategies of Cultural Differences and Special Expressions from the Chinese Translation of Chekhov's Short Story 'The Lady with a Dog'

Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics. Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Anafartalar Campus Faculty of Education Department of Foreign Language Education, Canakkale 07100, Turkey. e-mail: editor@ejal.info; Website: https://ejal.info/

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Translation; Cultural Differences; Authors; Russian Literature; Chinese; Second Languages; Language Processing; Language Usage; Russian; Decision Making; Phrase Structure; Professional Personnel; Discourse Analysis; Cultural Traits; Intercultural Communication; Educational Background; Native Language; Language Fluency; Language Proficiency; Dialects; English (Second Language)

2149-1135

The translation of Russian literature into Chinese requires careful consideration due to the linguistic nuances and cultural subtleties involved. The works of Chekhov present challenges for translators aiming to maintain the original narrative's richness and cultural resonance in the Chinese context. The main objective of this study is to analyse the translation strategies used to make Chekhov's literary masterpiece accessible to Chinese readers. This study examines translators' decisions regarding functional equivalence, cultural adaptation, and the treatment of special expressions. It provides valuable insights into the wider discussion on literary translation. This research aims to fill a gap in the existing literature by examining a specific work in the Russian literary canon. By doing so, it contributes to our understanding of cross-cultural literary transmission. This study utilises a close reading methodology and participant analysis with a sample of five translators to investigate the translation process by analysing key passages. The study employs a qualitative analysis approach to examine linguistic and cultural aspects, providing a comprehensive perspective on the translation challenges and opportunities when translating Chekhov's works into Chinese. The findings highlight the translators' ability to maintain fidelity to the source text while adapting to Chinese linguistic and cultural nuances. The study identifies strategies used to handle special expressions and emphasises the choices made in linguistic and cultural adaptation. This study provides new contributions to the field of translation studies by examining the translation dynamics of Chekhov's work in the context of Russian Chinese literary exchange. The study is significant as it can provide insights into translation practices and enhance our understanding of the interplay between cultural and linguistic elements in literary translation.

As Provided

2024

EJ1434532