A Contrastive Study on Domesticating and Foreignizing Translation of Two Versions of Hong Lou Meng

侯方丽　姚青　向凤雅

【Abstract】Hong Lou Meng is one of the most famous literature works in Chinese.This paper picks two versions of Hong Lou Meng：the Yangs domesticating translation version and the Hawks foreignizing translation version，focuses on the different translation methods they took，and makes a contrastive study on the translation works.

【Key words】Hong Lou Meng； domesticating translation； foreignizing translation；contrastive study

1.Introduction

Hong Lou Meng is endowed richly with Chinese culture，and This study investigates two versions of Hong Lou Meng from the perspective of translation methods and it takes some examples to make a contrastive research.The paper explains the examples，interprets its opinion on translation methods on Chinese ancient classical literature.

2.Literature Review

The debate over domesticating and foreignizing translation has been existing for a long time.Nidas ideal of domesticating translation is clearly reflected in his principle of closet natural equivalence.Foreignizing translation，is began with Schleiemacher study in the 19th century.Venuti is strongly against Nidas cultural “adaptation” and he regards it as “cultural Imperialism”.In this paper，the main method adopted in the study of two translation versions is contrastive strategy.

3.The Contrastive Study on Domesticating and Foreignizing Translation of Two Versions

Translator can be divided into two different types：source-oriented translator and target-oriented translator.To fully translate the original text，source-oriented translator adopts the foreignizing translation method to help target readers grasp the meaning of text，target-oriented has to take the domesticating translation method.Example 1：凤丫头就是楚霸王，也得这两只膀子好举千斤顶，他不是这丫头，就得这么周到了。The Yangs：As for Xifeng，why，even if she had the strength of the Conqueror of Chu who could lift a tripod weighing a thousand catties，how could she handle everything without Pinger here？ The Hawkss：Even though shes a regular Tyrant King，she still needs her Patience in order to be so efficient，just as much as the real Tyrant King needed his two strong arms in order to be able to lift up those hundredweight tripods.In Yangs version，the analogy shows the common characters such as ambitious and bold traits between Xifeng and the Conqueror of Chu，adds the interest of the translation and makes it much readable.To some extent，it helps to promote the Chinese history and draw many foreign readers attention.But in Hawkss version，such analogy is deleted and it reduces the interest of the translation.In addition，Hawkss translation by the foreignizing translation just conveys the literal meaning of the original text.Though Hawkss translation maybe more understandable to foreigner readers，the missing cultural background is a great loss in resect to the purpose of carrying forward the Chinese traditional culture.Example 2：阿彌陀佛.The Yangs：Gracious Buddha！The Hawks：God bless my soul！ The Yangs domesticating translation version had tried to keep the translation consistent by using the same image--Buddha，so as to maintain this cultural difference.Yet Hawks' version is more varied in vocabulary and thus has more readability.Yet，the religion is very important in this novel that it's better to keep the Buddha image.

4.Conclusion

This study investigates two versions of Hong Lou Meng：Yangs domesticating translation version and Hawks foreignizing translation version，and makes a contrastive study on two versions.The Yangs domesticating translation version has tried to keep the original texts Chinese classical cultural elements and help the target language readers have a good knowledge of Chinese culture，in the contrast，Hawkss foreignizing translation version is more a re-created work than a translation for the purpose of letting his readers enjoy the outline of the whole novel，in this way，he has to abandon the literature quality as the cost of the readability.

References：

[1]Venuti，L.The translator's invisibility：A history of translation[M].London and New York：Routledge.1995.

[2]Cao，Xueqin.The Story of Stone[Z].trans.Hawkes，D.London：Penguin Books Ltd，1973.

[3]Cao，Xueqin.A Dream of Red Mansions[Z].trans.Yang Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang.Beijing：Foreign Language Press，1994.

[4]孫致礼.中国的文学翻译：从归化到异化[J].中国翻译，2002.

[5]许建平.张荣曦.跨文化翻译中的异化与归化问题[J].中国翻译，2002.

作者简介：

侯方丽，女，1989年9月，湖北荆州人，硕士研究生在读，研究方向：英语笔译。

姚青，女，1990年6月，湖南邵阳人，硕士研究生在读，成都理工大学外国语学院，研究方向：英语笔译。

向凤雅，女，1988年6月，四川内江人，硕士研究生在读，研究方向：外国语言学及应用语言学。