《西厢记》中文化负载词英译的补偿策略

Compensatory Strategies for the English Translation of Culture-Loaded Words in The Story of the Western Wing: A Comparative Analysis of Xu Yuanchong’s, Stephen H. West and Wilt L. Idema’s Versions

Xi Xiang Ji, hailed as the pinnacle of Chinese Yuan Dynasty drama, holds immense importance in the promotion of traditional Chinese culture abroad. Rich in culture-loaded words pertaining to Chinese history, the play often requires compensatory translation to overcome the cultural untranslatability of culture-loaded words in English. The article conducts a comparative analysis of Xu Yuanchong’s translation and the joint translation by Stephen H. West and Wilt L.Idema, examining their compensation strategies for translating culture-loaded words. It is found that Xu’s translation employs omission and imagery substitution, emphasizing form and rhyme, which aligns with his “Three Beauties Principles”. Meanwhile, Stephen H. West and Wilt L. Idema’s translation relies more on extra-textual notes and paraphrases to fully present the source language information to readers.

《西厢记》是中国元代戏剧的“天下夺魁”之作，对其英译研究对于帮助中国传统文化走出去十分重要。该剧中含有大量与中国历史有关的文化负载词，在翻译的过程中常常采用补偿的手法，来克服英译文化负载词时的文化不可译性。本文选取许渊冲译本、奚如谷和伊维德译本进行对比分析，探究两译本在翻译文化负载词时所采取的补偿策略。研究发现，许渊冲译本采用减译和意象替代的补偿手法，多从形式和音韵上进行补偿，其提出的“三美原则”在《西厢记》英译本中得到充分体现。奚如谷和伊维德译本则多采用文本外注释与释义的补偿方法，向读者最大化地呈现源语中的信息。