摘要
This study explores some complex issues of drama translation-whether it should be treated as literary translation or not-by investigating two English translations of the same canonic Chinese drama, Xixiang ji. One translation claims to be literature piece while the other, stage-script. In comparing the two of different function and discussing their specific divergent expressions, this paper intends to shed some light on drama translation. It examines the translators’ purpose that closely links to their translation strategy and the function of their translation, followed by sample translations of courting passages. It illuminates the relative strength and weakness of drama translation as literature and as stage-script.