Translation: A Bridge Over Different Cultures--Also On The Treatment Of Cultural Differences In Translating A Dream Of Red Mansions

Translation is a sort of transformation between languages, as well as an intercultural communication, which is the main feature of translation. Translation and culture are closely related to each other. On one hand, translation products enrich national culture and to some extent, it also reflects cultural changes and development. On the other hand, culture may promote translation activity and also restrict or influence translation activity to a certain extent. Their relationship is that of interaction. To translate is to carry out cultural exchanges. However, there exist more or less differences between different cultures. These cultural differences are hard to deal with in the translation process.This thesis consists of four chapters. The first chapter mainly introduces the relationship between translation and culture. Translation and culture are closely related to each other. Translation can both enrich culture and be influenced by culture. Likewise, culture has influence on translation. It may both promote and influence or even restrict translation activities. They may interact each other forever. The second chapter is a primary study of cultural differences, which are hard to deal with in the translation process. There are historical cultural differences, regional cultural differences, customary culturaldifferences, religious cultural differences and so on. In the translation process, Eastern and Western cultural differences should be paid special attention to and proper techniques should be used to preserve the source-language culture. The third chapter is mainly on the cultural differences in translating A Dream of Red Mansions. A Dream of Read Mansions is an encyclopedic novel in China. Meanwhile, it is the epitome of the art of classical novel in China. The cultural content in it is rarely seen in history of world literature, which provide enough material for discussing cultural problems. And the fourth chapter emphasizes the role of translation in promoting cultural exchanges. Finally, there is a conclusion: translation is a bridge over different cultures. It is no longer regarded as a mere linguistic undertaking, but also an intercultural communication.In order to do translation between two languages, translators should not only master the two languages, but also know the two cultures very well and have a deep understanding of the cultural differences. Since culture is the soul of a nation, in the translation process, various methods should be used under various conditions to reflect the source-language culture. At the same time, foreign cultures should be treated more open-mindedly and be transmitted more actively to the native readers. As a result, they may know and accept foreign cultures more easily. In a word, translation is transformationbetween languages as well as between cultures. As a bridge over different cultures, translation should be made full use of to promote cultural exchanges.