A Study Of Lin Yutang’s Communication Of Chinese Culture-loaded Words From The Intercultural Perspective-with The Gay Genius

The general objective of this study is to explore Lin Yutang’s transmission of Chinese culture via the translation of Chinese literary classic,i.e.The Gay Genius:The Life and Times of Su Tungpo from the perspective of inter-cultural communication.The main research questions are as follows:First,what are the examples(words and phrases)in the book that reflect Chinese culture?Second,how does Lin Yutang convey these Chinese culture-loaded words and phrases into English?Namely,what strategies and procedures or does Lin employ in his translation?Third,how is Lin’s cultural translation from the perspective of inter-cultural communication?Fourth,what lessons can be drawn from Lin’s efforts in translating Chinese culture from the perspectives of cultural translation and intercultural communication?The primary research methodology of this study is literature review and empirical study.Literature review of relevant theories is conducted so as to build a solid theoretical framework for the whole dissertation.And an empirical study based on the book The Gay Genius:The Life and Times of Su Tungpo is implemented so as to gather abundant resources for further analyses.The theory of intercultural communication,especially Harold D.Lasswell’s 5W Formula is used in analyzing Lin’s translation.It is found that there are numerous words and phrases that reflect traditional Chinese culture in Lin Yutang’s book,which are heavily loaded with Chinese elements.They vividly reflect characteristics of Chinese culture and can be subdivided into several sub-groups.Lin uses both foreignization and domestication strategies in transmitting them into English.Judging from the perspective of inter-cultural communication,his translation of Chinese culture is successful due to several reasons:firstly,Lin is not only a high-level cultural translator but is also a qualified cultural communicator;secondly,Lin communicates those contents about traditional Chinese culture in an era of great changes;and most importantly,the book has received positive reviews and praises from western readers.Lin’s translation and transmission of Chinese culture has taught us a good lesson,not only in cultural translation but also in intercultural communication.For successful cultural translation,a combination of domestication and foreignization translation strategies is favored.And for successful intercultural communication,Lasswell’s Communication Model can serve as a good guide.