A Study Of Translation Methods And Cultural Factors On Chinese Network Buzzwords

With the rapid development of network, Chinese internet buzzwords appeared in large numbers, so many scholars began to focus on translation strategies of network buzzwords which met the need of cultural exchange. They fully analyzed translation methods of network buzzwords as well as some translation theories, such as functional theory, purpose theory, and so on. As a result, they have also yielded some good results in this field.This dissertation will explore translation strategies of Chinese internet buzzwords based on Nida’s reader-response theory and cultural factors. Nida’s reader-response theory is reader-centered, taking fully into account the reader’s cultural background, and adopts appropriate translation strategies to convey the original style, features and main idea with the purpose of receiving the same perceptions and feelings between foreign readers and Chinese readers. Nida believes that the question to measure the translation is what kind of reactions the target readers will make, and then compares the reactions of foreign readers and Chinese readers. The significant meaning of using this theory is the more successful the translation is, the more similar the reactions are. When translators correctly understand the reaction of the readers, they can adopt various translation strategies to translate good works. However, the network culture belongs to a part of Chinese culture. In the process of translation, translators not only translate Chinese words into English words, but also introduce Chinese culture to foreign readers. It is difficult for translators to introduce Chinese culture to foreigners. Translators have to cross the barriers of culture to convey accurately cultural connotation within the network buzzwords so that foreign readers can easily understand cultural meanings from English translations. Translation strategies of network buzzwords can be divided into literal translation, free translation, transliteration, splicing, and so on. This dissertation will regard Nida’s reader-response theory as a standard to evaluate the quality of translations. At the same time, cultural factors should be considered. For example, when some catchwords have the same meaning in annotation and connotation, literal translation will be adopted; if Chinese and English have the same expressions, English expressions will be used directly. Otherwise, other translation methods will be used.