A Comparison Research On Translation Methods Of Erotic Descriptions In Traditional Chinese Novels Between Chinese And Foreign Translators

After Ming dynasty,a large number of romantic novels emerged with vivid and bolddescriptions of sexual affairs,which not only reflects the social background at that time,but also breaks the bond of traditional Confucianism.These novels mirror the social reality and human feelings of the feudal constraints with great literary values.As more traditional Chinese novels are “going abroad”,accurate translation plays an important role to the readability of these works and the spread of Chinese culture.After comparing the existing translations,a common phenomenon is found that: Chinese translators usually euphemize,generalize or even delete those sensitively sexual plots,which makes a sharply contrast with English-speaking translators who are more faithful to the originals and directly translate those erotic scenes.Based on the translational action model proposed by Holz-M?ntt?ri,this thesis comparatively analyzes three traditional Chinese novels Hongloumeng,Liaozhai and Jinpingmei respectively,in ascending order according to the proportion of erotic descriptions and sexual explicitness.In order to explore different methods that domestic and foreign translators use in dealing with the erotic descriptions,this thesis selects 15 scenes for detailed text analysis.From three aspects,different initiators,different TT receivers and differences between the ST and TT culture,the thesis attempts to compare the differences between Chinese translators and English-speaking translators when dealing with the erotic descriptions.We find that most foreign translators begin their translations out of personal interests,thus the translation methods they usually use are vernacularization and explicitation.By contrast,constraints including social background and political demands,readers' acceptability and cultural impact of the translators themselves,influence the translation methods that Chinese translators use.They usually choose metaphorical constructions,simplification and mitigation,and direct deletion.Therefore,Chinese translators,in general,suppressed the erotic descriptions,which makes the existing versions far behind the development of the times;hence this thesis reminds us to have a re-recognition of the role that translation plays in cultural transmission,and aims to put forward higher requirements for the translators.