A Study Of Xiehouyu Translation In The English Version Of Chin P’ing Mei By David Tod Roy

Xiehouyu is a form of language expression with distinctive Chinese characteristics which is gradually created by people in language use. It has been widely used in oral language for a long time. Attributing to the positive effect on the language expression, it is also applied to literary works by some writers later.Chin P’ing Mei is a landmark in the development of narrative art, not only from a specifically Chinese perspective, but in the world-historical context. There are a great number of Xiehouyus in Chin P’ing Mei, which are distributed in each chapter. According to statistics, this novel employs more than one hundred Xiehouyus, with which there is no other novel can compare. Xiehouyu makes this novel’s language expression more colorful and the personality of the characters more vivid and distinctive. Xiehouyu plays an important role in molding the characters and developing the plot. Therefore, the success or failure of Xiehouyu translation in Chin P’ing Mei has a significant impact on the reproduction of this novel’s literary value. However, with its rich ethnic cultural characteristics and unique structure, Xiehouyu translation is always a complicated and huge challenge to all the translators and English learners. How to reproduce Xiehouyu exactly for target language readers is an important academic subject needed to be studied.The thesis, which focuses on the study of Xiehouyu translation in the English version of Chin P’ing Mei translated by David Tod Roy, employs case study and data analysis, and aims to seek out Roy’s translation strategies and methods. Through adopting the theory of translation effect evaluation, the author hopes to make a comprehensive and objective analysis on Xiehouyu translation in David Tod Roy’s version and contribute to the subsequent translation studies and practice.This thesis comprises four chapters besides the introduction and conclusion. The introduction points out the background, purpose, significance, method and innovation of the research. Chapter One introduces previous research on Xiehouyu, Xiehouyu translation and translation of Xiehouyu in Chin P’ing Mei by scholars. In Chapter Two, the author introduces the definition, origin and characteristics of Xiehouyu, and then discusses the functions of Xiehouyu in Chin P’ing Mei, as well as makes a classification for Xiehouyu in Chin P’ing Mei. In Chapter Three, the author analyzes the translation methods used by David Tod Roy, and summarizes his main strategies and methods. In Chapter Four, through adopting effect evaluation theory, the author would like to make an evaluation on the strategies and methods used by David Tod Roy. Research findings are summarized and the limitations are pointed out in the conclusion.