Chinese Culture-loaded Terms

Culturally-loaded terms are those culture specific words or expressions. They are the most sensitive language items and direct reflection of a nation's history and unique cultures. With a long history and abundant cultural heritage, China has numerous culture-specific items. In addition, since the adoption of the policy of reform and opening-up, a large number of new culturally-loaded Chinese terms have come into being. These new terms not only manifest the great achievements of our country, but also express some unique things and concepts emerged in the last two decades. Conducting research on these new terms is conducive to the development of linguistics, especially it is of vital importance for translation and intercultural communication.The author of this thesis,regarding translation of culture-loaded Chinese terms as a bridge for intercultural communication, presents a panoramic view in this field of study in terms of various definitions of culture,and relationships among language,culture and translation. Perhaps the translation of culture-loaded Chinese terms is one of the most difficult points and major barriers in Chinese-English translation.As a newly developed branch of translation studies, translation of Culture-loaded Chinese terms does not receive enough attention in China. Surveying the present situation of CLCTs translation in China, especially media-based translation, we may find that excellent translation and inferior translation intermingle. Therefore, it is very necessary to borrow translation theories from foreign countries.Moreover, CLCTs translation has its special features and constraints. Therefore, when we are translating these culture-loaded words, new methods should be adopted.The thesis is a study on the translation of culture-loaded terms from a cultural perspective. Examples are taken from news or publicity materials. Through literature searching, the author summarizes strategies for translating culture-loaded Chinese terms. Based on theory of equivalence and Skopostheorie, suggested strategies are put forward to deal with the translation of culture-loaded Chinese terms. Through analysis of the culture-loaded Chinese terms, the author examines the feasibility of the translation strategies.The thesis aims to present a new approach to the resolve the problems in CLCTs translation from a cultural perspective, in order to advocate systematic strategies to guide our translation practice.