A Study On The Translation Of Network Catchwords From The Perspective Of Memetics

With the rapid development of China's Internet industry,the way information is transmitted has changed dramatically,which provides a platform for the generation and dissemination of network catchwords.Network catchwords are like a social mirror of the Internet era,which not only enriches human language but also reflects the characteristics of interpersonal communication.As the globalization process continues to accelerate,network catchwords have also spread abroad with the “Chinese language craze” continues to heat up in recent years.Therefore,an accurate translation of the network catchwords will help foreign readers have a better understanding of the Chinese language and culture.Memetics explains the law of cultural evolution and meme spreads mainly through imitation and replication.The process of continuous replication and transmission of language in social communication is similar to that of memes.Therefore,the spread of language is also a meme.This study selects the top ten network catchwords published by Yao Wen Jiao Zi from 2008 to 2019 as research material.And based on memetics,the study is intended to explore how memes affect the translation of network catchwords and what translation methods are adopted to translate phenotype network catchwords and genotype network catchwords.The results of the study show that: 1.Memes affect the translation of network catchwords in two stages: “Memes infect hosts” and “Hosts express memes”.In “memes infect hosts” stage,translators as the hosts need to accurately understand and memorize the source language memes in their brains;In “hosts express memes” stage,translators as the hosts translate the source language memes into target language memes taking the expression habits of target readers,the characteristics of the source language as well as the cultural connotations contained in network catchwords into account.2.Translators adopt different translation methods to translate phenotype network catchwords and genotype network catchwords:(1)Phenotype network catchwords mainly include the same structure but different meanings,the same sound but different meanings and the same form but different meanings,in order to retain the unique linguistic structure and forms and accurately convey the real meanings of network catchwords to target readers,translators flexibly employ corresponding translation,transliteration and free translation to translate these network catchwords.(2)Genotype network catchwords mainly include the same meaning and form and the same meaning but different forms,in order to convey the real meanings and connotations of these network catchwords accurately and achieve the purpose of communication,translators mainly employ literal translation and literal translation with annotation to translate these network catchwords.This study hopes to provide references for the translation of network catchwords.Meanwhile,the study tries to broaden the understanding of language and translation studies from the perspective of memetics.