On Translation Of Chinese Shu Yu From Socio-Semiotic Perspective

Chinese Shu Yu is a general term of Chinese set phrases, proverbs, two-part allegorical sayings, common sayings, vulgar language, etc. Being concise and vivid, these expressions always win wide attention and application. Moreover, as the essence of the language, Chinese Shu Yu plays a critical role in the cultural publicity and cross-cultural communication. However, reproducing these expressions in the target language properly is really tough work. Thus, it becomes both theoretically and practically significant to conduct a careful study on the English translation of Chinese Shu Yu.The thesis, based on Socio-semiotic theory, and typical examples from the Yangs’ English version of The Scholars, attempts to explore how to translate Chinese Shu Yu in a proper way. On the one hand, the satirical masterpiece in the ancient China——The Scholars (Ru Lin Wai Shi) boasts kinds of Chinese Shu Yu, which not only reflect the traditional Chinese society but also draw a vivid picture of Chinese morality, customs and daily life; on the other hand, Socio-semiotics emphasizes the influence of text, linguistic and non-linguistic context and social-cultural elements on the linguistic signs, and put much stress on the realization of various semiotic meanings and functions. Therefore, it can be inferred that Socio-semiotic theory can be applied to guide the Chinese Shu Yu translation.According to Socio-semiotic theory, the research analyzes Chinese Shu Yu in The Scholars and concludes viable translation measures aiming at three semiotic meanings and key functions that Chinese Shu Yu may reflect. Translators are suggested to understand and interpret Chinese Shu Yu from a macro-view, judge the importance and translatability of each semiotic meaning in consideration of the target language background and concrete contexts, and finally adopt proper methods to seek for a target sign which is correspondent in meaning and similar in function with the original expressions. Thus, the version can be expected to be more acceptable in the target culture and transmit the cultural information and unique structure of the source language as fully as possible.In a word, the research is significant in both theoretical and practical aspects. Theoretically, it demonstrates the viability of Socio-semiotic approach to Chinese Shu Yu translation. Practically, different translation measures are concluded aiming at three semiotic meanings and certain enlightenment can be offered to translators.