Translation Of Idiomatic Expressions In Shuihu Zhuan: A Contrastive Perspective

The aim of this research is to enhance the studies on the translation of ShuihuZhuan. Although recent years have witnessed a growing concern in the attempt toprobe into the English translation from different perspectives, it is still felt necessaryto further the research. This research specifically focuses on the translation of Chineseidiomatic expressions, which, to deepen and facilitate the study, are grouped intofour categories, namely set phrases, common sayings, proverbs and two-partallegorical sayings. To conduct the research, a corpus is selected according to theChinese criteria so as to meet the need of the study. This research produces two keyfindings: firstly, Pearl Buck translates Chinese idiomatic expressions into English byadopting a literal translation method so as to preserve both the content and form asmuch as possible. Secondly, through contrasting the two versions of translation,namely All Men Are Brothers and Outlaws of the Marsh, it is recommended that literaltranslation shall be a preferred method in the translation of culture-load words andphrases in the light of cultural dissemination. Thus, the main conclusion drawn fromthis study provides evidence so that further confirm that Buck translates Shuihu Zhuanliterally. This research also recommends a further study on the translation fromdifferent perspectives or with certain translation theories.