《红楼梦》王际真译本西传研究

Western Translation:A Case Study of Chi-Chen Wang’s Dream of the Red Chamber

《红楼梦》是中国古典小说最高成就的代表,以《红楼梦》王际真译本为例,能够探究中国古典小说《红楼梦》西译的动机。不同的时期,《红楼梦》西译的动机不同。早期动机是为提供学习汉语的资料,第二个阶段是为了满足英语读者对东方文化的期待,第三个阶段是为了充分传达《红楼梦》的艺术魅力。此外,详细分析王际真译本的异域情调、注释、增删、诗学、专有名词的翻译特征及其译本不足之处,对于透视《红楼梦》西传具有重要意义。

Hong Lou Meng represents the highest achievement of classical Chinese novels,therefore based on Chi-Chen Wang’English version of Hong Lou Meng(Dream of the Red Chamber)published in 1958,its motivation of translation can be generalized.It turns out the motivation differ from time to time.In the early period,the motivation is to provide learning materials for foreigners to learn Chinese;in the second period,the motivation is to meet the English readers’expectation of Oriental Culture;and in the third period the motivation is to fully convey the artistic charm of Hong Lou Meng to English readers.In addition,detailed analysis of major translation strategies such as exoticism,notes,omission,and the features in translating poetic language,specific items and some limitations in the version as well would contribute to shedding a light on the western translation of Hong Long Meng.