Study On The English Translation Of The Epic Of Baeuqloxgdoh From The Perspective Of Chesterman’s Translation Ethics

In recent years,the translation and research of Chinese ethnic classics have gained widespread attention.The Epic of Baeuqloxgdoh is one of the ethnic classics in China,which involves a large number of Zhuang ethnic terms and showcases the unique Zhuang culture.The team led by Han Jiaquan from Baise University has completed the English translation of this classic,providing Western readers with an opportunity to understand Zhuang culture and also providing an important case study for cross-cultural translation research.Although scholars have studied the English translation of The Epic of Baeuqloxgdoh from different theoretical perspectives,there has been relatively less research from the perspective of translation ethics.Translation ethics was initially proposed by Antoine Berman,and Andrew Chesterman developed it into a five-dimensional model of translation ethics,including the ethics of representation,the ethics of service,the ethics of communication,the norm-based ethics,and the ethics of commitment.This theory is considered to be the most influential framework for translation ethics in the field of translation research,explaining the factors that constrain translator decision-making in translation process between different languages and cultures.At the level of Chesterman’s translation ethics,the unique Zhuang ethnic terms and culture in the original text of The Epic of Baeuqloxgdoh presented great challenges to translators,causing them to face a dilemma in conforming among different ethical considerations.Based on Chesterman’s translation ethics model,this paper adopts descriptive study method and intrinsic case study method to investigate the English translation of The Epic of Baeuqloxgodh by the Han Jiaquan translation team,exploring the impact of ethics on the translator’s translation motivation and technique decision-making during the translation process.This thesis draws three conclusions.Firstly,Han Jiaquan’s translation team’s English version of The Epic of Baeuqloxgodh follows the ethics of service,the ethics of communication,the norm-based ethics,and the ethics of commitment,but violates the ethics of representation.Secondly,due to the priority given to client requirements,Han Jiaquan’s translation team adhered to Professor Wang Rongpei’s translation criterion of conveying spirit and meaning,by adapting the original text and reducing the use of footnotes,waist rhymes,repetition and antithesis,to enable English target readers to better understand Zhuang culture and have a better reading experience.Thirdly,Chesterman’s translation ethics framework lacks clear hierarchy,which may lead translators to ethical dilemmas,and the theory is descriptive rather than prescriptive,lacking specific solutions for rewards and punishments.Therefore,this paper suggests that social ethical responsibility should be considered in translation ethics research,and specific measures for rewards and punishments should be proposed to guide translators’ behavior.The unique cultural concepts and terms in Chinese ethnic classics pose challenges to translators in their translation practice.By exploring the ethical dilemmas faced by the translation team of The Epic of Baeuqloxgodh,this study emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and social responsibility in translation practice.Furthermore,the study offers insights into how to balance different ethical considerations in translation practice by analyzing the translation techniques adopted by the team.