Reframing and Reception of Cantonese Opera in English Translation: With Special Reference to The Flower Princess

Cantonese opera, usually regarded as a traditional treasure especially in Southern China and Hong Kong, is a regional cultural product embedded with rich classical Chinese legacy. Apart from performing on the stage, the sophisticatedly written opera scripts were also put to research and translation into English. An act of reframing from the indigenous origin of the Chinese to the Western context is thus witnessed, which has resulted in a logical spread of some popular Cantonese opera lyrics and scripts being translated into English. In the 21st century, some on-stage performances of the Cantonese opera titles have been equipped with both Chinese and English surtitles, serving as a feasible way to promote the traditional art. Underdeveloped still, translation of Cantonese opera has to be improved by some specific ways which is discussed in this paper by specifically referring to one of the most renowned opera titles: The Flower Princess.