Emotion Metaphor Translation From The Perspective Of Conceptual Metaphor Theory

The present paper chose emotion metaphors in The Wind in the Willows and thetwo Chinese versions as its subject. In an attempt to assess the similarities anddifferences in the mapping systems of emotion concepts and their influences ontranslators’ strategies, we combine qualitative and quantitative methods together togive answer to our research questions. With the assistance of MIPVU, a set ofoperational doctrines of metaphor identification, we are able to locate238emotionmetaphorical expressions. The two research questions are listed as follows:1. Basedon the observed frequencies of mapping condition is there any significant differencebetween English and Chinese emotion metaphor? If there is, what might be the causesthat give rise to the cross-linguistic differences in English and Chinese emotionconcepts?2. How do mapping conditions impact translators’strategy choices? Is thereany significant difference between the two translators’ strategies for metaphortranslation? What is its implication in modifying translator’s strategies?In order to answer the first question, we make use of the Goodness of Fitchi-square test to decide if there is any significant difference between similar domaincondition (SMC) and different domain condition (DMC) of the emotion metaphorsoccur in English and Chinese versions. We are convinced by the statistical results thatthere is significant difference between SMC and DMC. SMC enjoys a much higheroccurrence than DMC. It testifies the universality of metaphor concepts and justifiestranslatability of metaphor concepts across languages. DMC is the conceptualizedreflection of cross-cultural variations. Translators sometimes become unhinged bytheir attempts to find equivalent metaphorical expressions in TL for those in the SL.So though not great in number, metaphors DMC do challenges the translator andshould be properly attended to. As to the reasons that might give rise to thesesvariations, we propose three explanations from different perspectives, namely,cognition, cultural tradition, ideology and value system.To give the second question a proper answer, we adopt chi-square independenttest to estimate the two translators’ strategies towards emotion metaphor translating. The translators for the most time appear to process and treat metaphor concepts verymuch alike. Both of them adopt strategies in accordance with the mapping conditions.To sum up, the current study proposes some candidate translation strategies indealing with metaphor translation. These strategies, though generalized in aretrospective manner and need to be further tested in larger corpus, are helpful totranslating practitioners. In the meantime, it also stresses the significance of raisingmetaphor awareness to fathom and translate metaphors.