A Study On The Translation Strategies Of Culture-Loaded Expressions From The Perspective Of Relevance Theory

To build harmonious society, people should understand each other and to know each other is the base of understanding. The deeper the globalization, the more important understanding is among different peoples. In the process of knowing each other, translation plays an important role. In translation process, the culture-loaded expressions are the most difficult part. Based on relevance theory, this thesis aims to find out the translation strategies of the culture-loaded expressions in the novel Wolf Totem. Culture-loaded expressions in this thesis are analyzed from three categories namely the historical-culture related expressions and proverbs, the Great Cultural Revolution related expressions and the Mongolian words and expressions. And then the translation strategies of culture-loaded expressions are analyzed based on relevance theory.After analysis, this thesis gets the conclusion that translator adopts different translation strategies based on target readers’cognitive environment to make the intentions of source text author and expectations of target readers meet. When the expressions contain rich new encyclopedic knowledge for the target readers and the connotation of those expressions are important in the novel, the translator adopts free translation to keep the connotations of those expressions. It provides enough contextual effect for target readers and decreases processing effort of target readers. Sixteen percent expressions are translated in free translation. When the target readers can understand those expressions with their logical and encyclopedic knowledge based on the context of novel, the translator adopts literal translation in order to maintain the original features as much as possible. Thirty point three percent expressions are translated in literal translation plus explanation or literal translation. If the expressions contain huge information with Chinese culture and it will cost much processing effort, the translator omits the expressions while makes sure target readers get the intention of source text author. Twenty six point six percent expressions are translated in omission. The translator adopts transliteration or transliteration plus explanation when he translates people name, place name, dynasty and so on. Twenty five point five percent expressions are translated in this translation.The study on the translation strategies of culture-loaded expressions of Wolf Totem from the perspective of relevance theory reveals the relationship between the translation strategies and the cognitive environment of target readers. It provides reference for the adoption of translation strategies.