A Study On C-to-E Translation Of Idioms From The Perspective Of Relevance Theory

Idioms in the novel The Republic of Wine have their own linguistic and literary values,which make outstanding contributions to the artistic achievement and aesthetic value of The Repubic of Wine.Idioms are the forms of words,phrases and sentences formed under the specific cultural phenomenon,which often imply special cultural meanings.Due to its special scope of use,idioms often have special local characteristics.The application of idioms can not only make the language vivid and easy to understand,but also strengthen the expression effect.There are a variety of idioms in The Republic of Wine,such as set phrases,colloquialisms,enigmatic folk similes,proverbs,and slang.It is precisely due to the variety of idioms and complex structure that require different translation methods when translating these idioms.Under the framework of Relevance Theory,this paper selects the English version of The Republic of Wine translated by Howard Goldblatt as the research objective,and analyzes whether the translation conveys the original information and reproduces the original expression.In this paper,based on the method of qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis,1226 specific translation examples are collected on the basis of text perusal for comparative study.The study found that in terms of the linguistic features and expression effects of idioms,the use of two rhetorical devices-personification and exaggeration,and extraordinary collocation can shape special literary effects;in terms of factors affecting idioms translation,specialized spoken expressions,historical allusions,beliefs and religions,non-corresponding expressions are the main four aspects;in terms of the translation process,this paper summarizes two translation strategies of domestication and foreignization.Under the guidance of Relevance Theory,the research found that Howard Goldblatt used four translation methods including liberal translation,literal translation,variation,and transliteration,as well as two translation techniques:omission and addition.In addition,the thesis author found 75 inappropriate translations in the English version of The Republic of Wine failed to achieve the optimal relevance,which can be summarized as the phenomenon of undertranslation and mistranslation,the thesis author analyzes the misconducts of idioms translation in The Republic of Wine and provides corresponding solutions.This paper includes six chapters.Chapter one is the introduction,including the research background,the purpose and significance of the research,the research methods the structure of the paper and the innovation of this thesis.Chapter two presents literature review,introducing the previous studies on The Republic of Wine and idioms translation.Chapter three is the theoretical framework,including the introduction to Relevance Theory and the translation views under the guidance of Relevance Theory.Under the framework of Relevance Theory,translation is an ostensive-inferential communication process,a process of mutual interpretation between cultures,and a process of seeking the optimal relevance.Chapter four is the introduction to idioms in The Republic of Wine,including the definition of idioms,classifications of idioms,the overall characteristics of idioms,the significance of idioms in construing literary effects,and the difficulties in C-to-E translation of Chinese idioms.Under the framework of Relevance Theory,chapter five firstly analyzes the excellent translation examples of Chinese idioms in Howard Goldblatt's English version of The Republic of Wine,and summarizes his translation methods and techniques.Secondly,this paper analyzes and makes comments on specific translation examples that do not achieve the optimal relevance.Thirdly,this paper provides some solutions to the improper translations.Chapter six is the conclusion.It summarizes the research results and findings of C-to-E translation of Chinese idioms in Howard Goldblatt's English version of The Republic of Wine and elaborates the limitations of the research and suggestions for future research.Through the comparative study of idioms translation in The Republic of Wine,the author hopes that readers can understand how Mo Yan inspires the readers'sense of cultural identity through various forms and vivid expressions of idioms,the author also hopes that readers can further understand how Goldblatt uses contextual information and the cognition of Chinese to translate idioms.