An American Translator’s Lens On Sheng Keyi’s Qian Xiaohong:Interpreting Chinese Female Migrant

This thesis examines Shelly Bryant’s representation and interpretation of the protagonist Qian Xiaohong in Sheng Keyi’s Beimei.It analyzes four passages from the book and compares the transfer of meaning between the source text and translation text.Drawing on the concept of feminine writing in the postcolonial framework and the Shensi tradition of Chinese aesthetics,the study seeks to unveil the significance of Bryant’s translation in both textual and cultural contexts.Textually,the study conducts a detailed analysis of the transfer of meaning between the source text and translation text on a sentence-by-sentence basis.It argues that Bryant’s choices usually capture the spirit of Qian Xiaohong while acknowledging the subjective nature of interpreting nuances in meaning between languages.The study acknowledges that interpreting subtleties in meaning between languages is complex,and at times,Bryant’s choices may seem fitting on the surface,but the underlying spirit may not always be fully captured.Conceptually,the thesis seeks to unveil the meaning of Bryant’s published translation within its cultural and social context.It draws on Collins’(1985)concept of feminine writing in the postcolonial framework and the Shensi tradition of Chinese aesthetics to reveal the significance of the translation project.The study concludes that the spirit of Qian Xiaohong lies not only in the words used but also in the social implications of narrating her story.By employing direct,unadorned language,Qian Xiaohong can be a voice for other female migrants in Shenzhen.The translation project itself holds value,as both the source text and its translation contribute to a deeper dialogue around the experience of female migrants and the concept of femininity.