The erosion of cultural essence: translating mythical cultural terms in classical Chinese folk novels
This paper explores the challenges and implications of translating mythical cultural terms from the Chinese classical literary work Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. Drawing on the theoretical framework of cultural loss and compensation, this study employs a comparative analysis of two selected E...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Bilingual Publishing Group
2024
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114419/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114419/1/114419.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848866488518180864 |
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| author | Wei, Mian Zainal, Zainor Izat Wong, Lingyann |
| author_facet | Wei, Mian Zainal, Zainor Izat Wong, Lingyann |
| author_sort | Wei, Mian |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | This paper explores the challenges and implications of translating mythical cultural terms from the Chinese classical literary work Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. Drawing on the theoretical framework of cultural loss and compensation, this study employs a comparative analysis of two selected English translations by Herbert Giles and John Minford to identify and evaluate the compensation methods used and their impact on preserving cultural essence. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive methodology, this research analyzes selected stories featuring mythical beings, focusing on the translation of specific cultural terms and the use of annotations and contextual explanations. The study examines the extent to which cultural subtleties are preserved or lost in translation, evaluating the effectiveness of compensation methods and their implications for readers' cultural understanding. By examining the translators' choices and their influence on the portrayal of mythical beings, the study aims to provide insights into how cultural subtleties are either preserved or eroded in the translation process. Key findings indicate that while some translations strive to maintain the original cultural essence through careful annotation and contextualization, others prioritise readability and accessibility, leading to significant cultural loss. The paper concludes with recommendations for translators and scholars to enhance cultural preservation in literary translations and suggests directions for future research. This study contributes to the broader discourse on the translation of classical Chinese literature, highlighting the importance of cultural fidelity in translating mythical beings and the role of translators in shaping cultural understanding and appreciation. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:21:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-114419 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:21:24Z |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publisher | Bilingual Publishing Group |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-1144192025-01-15T06:25:58Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114419/ The erosion of cultural essence: translating mythical cultural terms in classical Chinese folk novels Wei, Mian Zainal, Zainor Izat Wong, Lingyann This paper explores the challenges and implications of translating mythical cultural terms from the Chinese classical literary work Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. Drawing on the theoretical framework of cultural loss and compensation, this study employs a comparative analysis of two selected English translations by Herbert Giles and John Minford to identify and evaluate the compensation methods used and their impact on preserving cultural essence. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive methodology, this research analyzes selected stories featuring mythical beings, focusing on the translation of specific cultural terms and the use of annotations and contextual explanations. The study examines the extent to which cultural subtleties are preserved or lost in translation, evaluating the effectiveness of compensation methods and their implications for readers' cultural understanding. By examining the translators' choices and their influence on the portrayal of mythical beings, the study aims to provide insights into how cultural subtleties are either preserved or eroded in the translation process. Key findings indicate that while some translations strive to maintain the original cultural essence through careful annotation and contextualization, others prioritise readability and accessibility, leading to significant cultural loss. The paper concludes with recommendations for translators and scholars to enhance cultural preservation in literary translations and suggests directions for future research. This study contributes to the broader discourse on the translation of classical Chinese literature, highlighting the importance of cultural fidelity in translating mythical beings and the role of translators in shaping cultural understanding and appreciation. Bilingual Publishing Group 2024-11-15 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_nc_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114419/1/114419.pdf Wei, Mian and Zainal, Zainor Izat and Wong, Lingyann (2024) The erosion of cultural essence: translating mythical cultural terms in classical Chinese folk novels. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6 (5). pp. 725-736. ISSN 2705-0610; eISSN: 2705-0602 https://journals.bilpubgroup.com/index.php/fls/article/view/7084 10.30564/fls.v6i5.7084 |
| spellingShingle | Wei, Mian Zainal, Zainor Izat Wong, Lingyann The erosion of cultural essence: translating mythical cultural terms in classical Chinese folk novels |
| title | The erosion of cultural essence: translating mythical cultural terms in classical Chinese folk novels |
| title_full | The erosion of cultural essence: translating mythical cultural terms in classical Chinese folk novels |
| title_fullStr | The erosion of cultural essence: translating mythical cultural terms in classical Chinese folk novels |
| title_full_unstemmed | The erosion of cultural essence: translating mythical cultural terms in classical Chinese folk novels |
| title_short | The erosion of cultural essence: translating mythical cultural terms in classical Chinese folk novels |
| title_sort | erosion of cultural essence: translating mythical cultural terms in classical chinese folk novels |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114419/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114419/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114419/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114419/1/114419.pdf |