A Comparative Study On The Translation Of Names In Hong Lou Meng In The Light Of Construal Theory

Translation is subjective and creative, different readers may construe a certain text in different ways which then lead to different linguistic expressions. In this thesis, the author attempts to make a comparative study on the translation of names in two English versions of Hong Lou Meng in the light of construal theory, and to preliminarily describe and explore the subjectivity of translation process in theory.Hong Lou Meng is considered both in scope and depth to be an unprecedented masterpiece in depicting the panorama of social life in the eighteenth century. One thing differs it from other romances is that the author didn’t isolate the love story of Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, instead he integrated it in a large aristocratic family with its own entangled worldly events, love affairs, sibling rivalries, political intrigues, etc.Hundreds of characters were depicted and carefully inserted in this book with different appearances, personalities, status and language styles. Their names were given with great consideration. Cao Xueqin endowed deep connotations and intentions in them, from which readers can catch a glimpse of Cao Xueqin’s ingenious artistic accomplishment and abundant Chinese name culture. Both Wang Jizhen and David Hawkes showed great originality and ingenuity in translating names with flexible translation approaches. Although, some honest mistakes and misreading existed, the defects cannot obscure the virtues. Their translation strategies and rigorous attitudes are always worth exploring.