An Exploration Of The Translation Of Conceptual Metaphors In Economic Texts

With the shift from the linguistic approach to the cognitive science,metaphor has transformed from a rhetorical device into an essential cognitive tool.Metaphor works its way into various texts,including economic texts.Scholars at home and abroad have also embarked on an extensive and in-depth exploration of various metaphors in economic texts.However,the research on the translation of conceptual metaphors in economic texts warrants further studies.Accordingly,under the guidance of the conceptual metaphor theory proposed by Lakoff & Johnson(1980),this study,taking as a case study the E-C translation of Global English and Political Economy by John P.O’Regan,intends to investigate the translation of conceptual metaphors in economic texts.By referencing the linguistic and cultural differences between Chinese and English,the author unveils how to complete an accurate and readable E-C rendering by means of three translation strategies,namely,equivalent mapping,shift of equivalent effects,and omission of metaphor.It is hoped that the study might shed some light on the translation studies and practice of economic texts.