Application Of Functional Equivalence Theory To Translation Of Satires In Chinese Classical Novels

This report presents the author's insights and reflections collected from a translation practice project conducted as part of the MTI program at Yangzhou University involving Chapter 9 and Chapter 53 of True Colors of Officialdom(???????)by Li Baojia as the source text.In the process of completing the translation practice project,the author intentionally adopts functional equivalence theory as the guiding principle in an effort to adequately represent satires contained in the source text.True Colors of Officialdom,one of the best famous condemnation novels in late Qing Dynasty,reveals the darkness and falsehood of officialdom of that time.In this novel,the author with masterful satirical art mixes sarcasm,ironical laughter and angry shouts,presents a large number of vivid and thought-provoking scenes and characters.True Colors of Officialdom poses big challenges in the process of completing this translation practice project.Satire is closely related to language and culture.Linguistic and cultural factors should be considered in satire translation.In order to achieve functional equivalence,different strategies are applied to reproduce satires in the source text.These strategies include transliteration with in-text annotation,literal translation,literal translation with annotation,free translation,adding footnotes and amplification.Considering the cultural difference between ST receptors and TT receptors,literal translation with annotation and adding footnotes are applied to reach functional equivalence.Due to differences in language expression between English and Chinese,strategies of literal translation and free translation are applied.In order to make TT receptors understand and appreciate the satirical contents easily,amplification is applied to reach this purpose.When translating satirical names of characters,transliteration with in-text annotation method is used to reach the same satirical effect.By analyzing some carefully selected examples collected in the process of completing this translation project,the report draws a tentative conclusion that the above translation strategies directed by functional equivalence theory can be applied in translation of satires.