The purpose of this study is to investigate the translation strategies adopted by the translator in translating the Chinese novel Big Breast and Wide Hips into English, as well as the factors influencing the translator’s choice of translation strategies, by using the descriptive research method and culture-specific items (hereafter referred to as CSI). Eight translation strategies are examined in the data analysis: 1) substitution; 2) transliteration; 3) free translation; 4) literal translation; 5) omission; 6) literal translation plus amplified translation; 7) literal translation plus explanation; 8) free translation plus substitution. The findings of the study show that the type of CSI influences the choice of translation strategy. Furthermore, the results suggest that translation strategies should not be developed on the basis of subjective assumptions or hasty generalisations about the expectation of the audience. Rather, they should be based on the specific situation of the culture-specific items.
With the cultural turn of translation studies, the subject status of translators has gradually been highlighted, and translator studies have become increasingly important. However, the current research on translators is mostly confined to certain aspects such as the translator's translation thoughts, translation strategies or translation styles, which lacks comprehensive and detailed research. This article aims to study the translator Howard Goldblatt from the four aspects of his life experience, namely translation practice, translation motivation, translation thoughts and translation strategies, in an attempt to present a detailed and comprehensive translator. The results demonstrate that Howard Goldblatt's translation is based on cross-cultural communication as the ultimate goal, comprehensively using translation strategies that combine domestication and foreignization to spread the Chinese culture. This study contributes to the diversification of research methods and the dissemination of Chinese culture.
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