Metaphor Translation in the English Version of <i>Bronze and Sunflower</i>

Mu Hai; Shi Ying

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18

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Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower

Mu Hai, Shi Ying

Published in International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation (Volume 6, Issue 3)

Received: 14 September 2020 Accepted: 27 September 2020 Published: 30 September 2020

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Abstract

Metaphor, which is ubiquitous in children’s literature, has always been a difficult point in understanding and translating. Therefore, the choice of metaphor translation strategies varies much for person to person. This article explores metaphor translation in Wang’s version of Bronze and Sunflower, which aims to provide reference for the future translating Chinese children’s literature through the analysis of metaphor translation strategies in excellent award-winning translation. In order to retain to the greatest extent the unique conceptions, designs, styles, techniques, flavors and cultural implications of the original metaphors, Wang gives priority to metaphor foreignization by which transplantation of images and mapping modes from source domain to target domain can be successfully achieved on the basis of the overlap zone of understanding between the source text (ST) readers and the target text (TT) readers. However, due to the great differences between the two languages and cultures as well as the consideration for child readers, metaphor domestication and partial even complete metaphor omission should be resorted to in order to make the sense and functions of the original metaphors accessible to TT readers. At the same time, it is also worthy of attention that the abandonment of metaphors, caused by the translator’s misunderstanding of some local culture, customs or/and shortage of the relevant knowledge about the connotations of the original metaphors, leads to the loss of unique thinking style, emotional characteristics and aesthetic implication behind the original language. It is concluded that high-quality translation reflects in the choice of the strategies of metaphor translation which depends on the translator’s comprehensive understanding of the source text, translation objectives, the manipulation on the basis of the translator’s own views on children’s literature translation.

Published in	International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation (Volume 6, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18
Page(s)	103-108
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Metaphor Translation, Halen Wang, Bronze and Sunflower, Children’s Literature

References

[1]	Xu, D. R. and Fan, Y. W. (2018). The deficiency of style recreation in the English translation of Bronze and Sunflower. Shandong Foreign Language Teaching, 39 (2), 120-127.
[2]	Xu, D. R. and Fan, Y. W. (2020). Chinese folk language and and style recreation in the English translation of Chinese Children's literature: a case study of the English translation of Cao Wenxuan’s Bronze and Sunflower. Foreign Language Education, 41 (1), 93-98.
[3]	Zhou, Y. and Guo, B. (2018). Study on metaphor in Wang Hailan’s English version of Bronze and Sunflower. Journal of Mudanjiang University, 27 (6), 86-88.
[4]	Zhou, Y. and Guo, B. (2018). Study on de-metaphorization of basic taste words in English version of Bronze and Sunflower. Journal of Mudanjiang University, 27 (11), 117-124.
[5]	Lathey, G. (2011). The translation of literature for children. In Kirsten Malmkjaer and Kevin Windle (eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Translation Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 199.
[6]	Tabbert, R. (2002). Approaches to the translation of children’s literature. A review of critical studies since 1960. Target 14 (2), 303.
[7]	Schäffner, C. (2004). Metaphor and translation: some implications of a cognitive approach. Journal of Pragmatics 36 (7), 1254.
[8]	Burmakova, E. A., and Marugina, N. I. (2014). Cognitive approach to metaphor translation in literary discourse. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 154, 528.
[9]	Van den Broeck, R. (1981). The limits of translatability exemplified by metaphor translation. Poetics Today, 2 (4): 77.
[10]	Newmark, P. (1981). Approaches to Translation. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 88-91.
[11]	Toury, G. (2012). Descriptive Translation Studies and beyond. Rev. ed. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 107-110.
[12]	Lakoff, G. and Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Live by. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 3-5, 14-16.
[13]	Alvarez, A. (1993). On translating metaphor. Meta: Translators' Journal, 38 (3), 482.
[14]	Newmark, P. (1988). A Textbook of Translation. London: Prentice Hall International Limited, 113.
[15]	Dagut, M. (1987). More about the translatability of metaphor. Babel, 33 (2), 77.
[16]	Venuti, L. (1995). The Translator's Invisibility: A History of Translation. London: Routledge.
[17]	Cao, W. X. (2005). Bronze and Sunflower. Nanjing: Jiangsu Juvenile and Children’s Publishing Ltd, 1, 195, 76, 176, 5, 7, 181, 112.
[18]	Cao, W. X. (2015). Bronze and Sunflower. H. Wang, trans. London: Walker Books Ltd, 5, 312, 119-120, 281, 12, 15, 289, 176.
[19]	Shuttleworth, M. and Cowie, M. (1997). Dictionary of Translation Studies. Manchester: St, Jerome Publishing, 43-44.
[20]	Puurtinen, T. (2006). Children’s literature: translation of. Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics, 314–316.
[21]	Zoltán, Kövecses. (2004). Introduction: cultural variation in metaphor. European Journal of English Studies, 8 (3), 264.
[22]	Lefevere, A. (1992). Translation, Rewriting and the Manipulation of Literary Fame. London & New York: Routledge.
[23]	Oittinen, R. (2000). Translating for children. New York: Garland, 41-60.
[24]	Chen, X. H., and X, L. J. (2019). Dissemination and reception of Cao Wenxuan's works in the English-speaking world: a case study of Bronze and Sunflower. Foreign Language and Translation, (2), 1-6.

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APA Style

Mu Hai, Shi Ying. (2020). Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, 6(3), 103-108. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18

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ACS Style

Mu Hai; Shi Ying. Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower. Int. J. Appl. Linguist. Transl. 2020, 6(3), 103-108. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18

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AMA Style

Mu Hai, Shi Ying. Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower. Int J Appl Linguist Transl. 2020;6(3):103-108. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18

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@article{10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18,
  author = {Mu Hai and Shi Ying},
  title = {Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation},
  volume = {6},
  number = {3},
  pages = {103-108},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijalt.20200603.18},
  abstract = {Metaphor, which is ubiquitous in children’s literature, has always been a difficult point in understanding and translating. Therefore, the choice of metaphor translation strategies varies much for person to person. This article explores metaphor translation in Wang’s version of Bronze and Sunflower, which aims to provide reference for the future translating Chinese children’s literature through the analysis of metaphor translation strategies in excellent award-winning translation. In order to retain to the greatest extent the unique conceptions, designs, styles, techniques, flavors and cultural implications of the original metaphors, Wang gives priority to metaphor foreignization by which transplantation of images and mapping modes from source domain to target domain can be successfully achieved on the basis of the overlap zone of understanding between the source text (ST) readers and the target text (TT) readers. However, due to the great differences between the two languages and cultures as well as the consideration for child readers, metaphor domestication and partial even complete metaphor omission should be resorted to in order to make the sense and functions of the original metaphors accessible to TT readers. At the same time, it is also worthy of attention that the abandonment of metaphors, caused by the translator’s misunderstanding of some local culture, customs or/and shortage of the relevant knowledge about the connotations of the original metaphors, leads to the loss of unique thinking style, emotional characteristics and aesthetic implication behind the original language. It is concluded that high-quality translation reflects in the choice of the strategies of metaphor translation which depends on the translator’s comprehensive understanding of the source text, translation objectives, the manipulation on the basis of the translator’s own views on children’s literature translation.},
 year = {2020}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower
AU  - Mu Hai
AU  - Shi Ying
Y1  - 2020/09/30
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18
T2  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JF  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JO  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
SP  - 103
EP  - 108
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1271
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18
AB  - Metaphor, which is ubiquitous in children’s literature, has always been a difficult point in understanding and translating. Therefore, the choice of metaphor translation strategies varies much for person to person. This article explores metaphor translation in Wang’s version of Bronze and Sunflower, which aims to provide reference for the future translating Chinese children’s literature through the analysis of metaphor translation strategies in excellent award-winning translation. In order to retain to the greatest extent the unique conceptions, designs, styles, techniques, flavors and cultural implications of the original metaphors, Wang gives priority to metaphor foreignization by which transplantation of images and mapping modes from source domain to target domain can be successfully achieved on the basis of the overlap zone of understanding between the source text (ST) readers and the target text (TT) readers. However, due to the great differences between the two languages and cultures as well as the consideration for child readers, metaphor domestication and partial even complete metaphor omission should be resorted to in order to make the sense and functions of the original metaphors accessible to TT readers. At the same time, it is also worthy of attention that the abandonment of metaphors, caused by the translator’s misunderstanding of some local culture, customs or/and shortage of the relevant knowledge about the connotations of the original metaphors, leads to the loss of unique thinking style, emotional characteristics and aesthetic implication behind the original language. It is concluded that high-quality translation reflects in the choice of the strategies of metaphor translation which depends on the translator’s comprehensive understanding of the source text, translation objectives, the manipulation on the basis of the translator’s own views on children’s literature translation.
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Mu Hai

Department of Foreign Languages, Zhanjiang Preschool Education College, Zhanjiang, China
Shi Ying

Department of Foreign Languages, Zhanjiang Preschool Education College, Zhanjiang, China

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APA Style

Mu Hai, Shi Ying. (2020). Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, 6(3), 103-108. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18

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ACS Style

Mu Hai; Shi Ying. Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower. Int. J. Appl. Linguist. Transl. 2020, 6(3), 103-108. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18

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AMA Style

Mu Hai, Shi Ying. Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower. Int J Appl Linguist Transl. 2020;6(3):103-108. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18,
  author = {Mu Hai and Shi Ying},
  title = {Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation},
  volume = {6},
  number = {3},
  pages = {103-108},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijalt.20200603.18},
  abstract = {Metaphor, which is ubiquitous in children’s literature, has always been a difficult point in understanding and translating. Therefore, the choice of metaphor translation strategies varies much for person to person. This article explores metaphor translation in Wang’s version of Bronze and Sunflower, which aims to provide reference for the future translating Chinese children’s literature through the analysis of metaphor translation strategies in excellent award-winning translation. In order to retain to the greatest extent the unique conceptions, designs, styles, techniques, flavors and cultural implications of the original metaphors, Wang gives priority to metaphor foreignization by which transplantation of images and mapping modes from source domain to target domain can be successfully achieved on the basis of the overlap zone of understanding between the source text (ST) readers and the target text (TT) readers. However, due to the great differences between the two languages and cultures as well as the consideration for child readers, metaphor domestication and partial even complete metaphor omission should be resorted to in order to make the sense and functions of the original metaphors accessible to TT readers. At the same time, it is also worthy of attention that the abandonment of metaphors, caused by the translator’s misunderstanding of some local culture, customs or/and shortage of the relevant knowledge about the connotations of the original metaphors, leads to the loss of unique thinking style, emotional characteristics and aesthetic implication behind the original language. It is concluded that high-quality translation reflects in the choice of the strategies of metaphor translation which depends on the translator’s comprehensive understanding of the source text, translation objectives, the manipulation on the basis of the translator’s own views on children’s literature translation.},
 year = {2020}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Metaphor Translation in the English Version of Bronze and Sunflower
AU  - Mu Hai
AU  - Shi Ying
Y1  - 2020/09/30
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18
T2  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JF  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JO  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
SP  - 103
EP  - 108
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1271
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20200603.18
AB  - Metaphor, which is ubiquitous in children’s literature, has always been a difficult point in understanding and translating. Therefore, the choice of metaphor translation strategies varies much for person to person. This article explores metaphor translation in Wang’s version of Bronze and Sunflower, which aims to provide reference for the future translating Chinese children’s literature through the analysis of metaphor translation strategies in excellent award-winning translation. In order to retain to the greatest extent the unique conceptions, designs, styles, techniques, flavors and cultural implications of the original metaphors, Wang gives priority to metaphor foreignization by which transplantation of images and mapping modes from source domain to target domain can be successfully achieved on the basis of the overlap zone of understanding between the source text (ST) readers and the target text (TT) readers. However, due to the great differences between the two languages and cultures as well as the consideration for child readers, metaphor domestication and partial even complete metaphor omission should be resorted to in order to make the sense and functions of the original metaphors accessible to TT readers. At the same time, it is also worthy of attention that the abandonment of metaphors, caused by the translator’s misunderstanding of some local culture, customs or/and shortage of the relevant knowledge about the connotations of the original metaphors, leads to the loss of unique thinking style, emotional characteristics and aesthetic implication behind the original language. It is concluded that high-quality translation reflects in the choice of the strategies of metaphor translation which depends on the translator’s comprehensive understanding of the source text, translation objectives, the manipulation on the basis of the translator’s own views on children’s literature translation.
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
ER  -

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