On Explicitation Of Cultural Context In English Versions Of LunYu

Translation is to translate meaning, and meaning is restricted by context. So we should do translations in the context . Translation, as a communication, is not simply a mechanical transfer of linguistic elements, but also cultural context embedded in the source text. As language is essentially rooted in the reality of culture, it cannot be explained without constant reference to cultural context. LunYu, as the most important Confucian classic, is the brightest pearl in China's culture depository. Its translation has been an important way of eastern and western cultural exchange. It is rich in traditional cultural elements, which makes it more difficult for translators to understand and translate. In the past 20 years, scholars at home have studied the English versions of LunYu through different perspectives: the diverse interpretations and retranslation, the translators' subjectivity etc. Within this context, this thesis aims to. analyze the cases hidden with cultural context in the five English versions of LunYu and to evaluate the translated versions with the guidance of functional equivalence and then summarize the specific translation strategies the translators have used to make source cultural context explicit to the target readers. With globalization, Chinese classics translation has become a way of intercultural communication. During the international cross-cultural communication, the wholeness of Chinese culture and philosophy should open to the world, making more people capable of understanding it to keep its independence and legitimacy which is of great significance both to China and the whole world. Thus, translators working on Chinese classics translation should be guided by the functional equivalence theory and take cultural context into consideration and try to achieve an effective cultural exchange.