A Report On The Translation Of Zhang Wu Zhi (Excerpts)

This is a translation report.The author selected Zhang Wu Zhi written by the Ming dynasty scholar Wen Zhenheng as the source text.Zhang Wu Zhi(Treatise on Superfluous Things)is an encyclopedic book about garden architecture and interior design.The author translated the sixth and seventh volumes of this book,and discussed the translation methods for culture-specific items under the framework of functional equivalence theory proposed by Eugene A.Nida.This theory emphasizes equivalent responses of source-text readers and target-text readers rather than rigid formal correspondence between the original text and the translated text.It provides a perspective for translators and can be used to guide the translation of culture-specific items.Translation is closely related to culture.How to convey the cultural elements contained in Chinese classics is the one of the most important issues for translators.Culture-specific items are loaded with unique national culture.The translation of those items affects the quality of the English translation of Chinese classics and further influences the spread of traditional Chinese culture.Therefore,it is of great importance to study the methods of translating Chinese culture-specific items.The translation methods the author used in the translation practice include transliteration,literal translation,liberal translation,intratextual gloss,extratextual gloss,absolute universalization,naturalization,recognized translation and expansion.To some degree,this translation practice and research can arouse people's attention to Zhang Wu Zhi and help to spread traditional Chinese culture.The author also expects that this report can provide some references and guidance for those who are engaged in related translation practice and research.