Abstract

The Dream of Red Mansions is a great literary classic. Based on the theory of domestication and foreignization which is proposed by L.Venuti, an American scholar , this thesis analyzes the two classic English versions of Hong Lou Meng in terms of its names and proverbs. Through a comparative study of the two translations, which are translated by Yang Hsien-yi and David Hawkes respectively, this thesis is in an attempt to explore different strategies for translating cultural elements in Hong Lou Meng adopted by the two translators. Through the analysis of the two versions, we find that although both the Yangs and Hawkes have adopted foreignization and domestication in their translations, they each have their own preference. In the translation of cultural elements, the Yangs prefer to employ foreignization, while Hawkes is more inclined to domestication.

Keywords: Hong Lou Meng; domestication; foreignization; translation

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-2

2.1 The definition of domestication and foreignization-2

2.2 Arguments between domestication and foreignization-3

2.3 Foreignization and domestication VS literal translation and free translation-4

3. The Translations of Names in Hong Lou Meng-5

3.1 A general introduction to the translation of names-5

3.2 The analysis of names in the two translations-5

4. The Translations of Proverbs in Hong Lou Meng-8

4.1 A general introduction to the translation of proverbs-8

4.2 Foreignization of proverbs in the two translations-9

4.3 Domestication of proverbs in the two translations-10

5. Conclusion-11

Works Cited-13