A Corpus-based Comparative Study of Translators' Styles of Four English Versions of Chinese Classic

Abstract

This article examines the translation styles of the first chapter of Six Chapters of a Floating Life at three levels using a corpus approach: readability calculations, statistical parameters, and the translation of culture-specific lexis. The translation by Pratt and Jiang has the most annotations and is easiest for the typical English reader to read. With an emphasis on the original language, Sanders' translation demonstrates the translator's goal of translating Chinese culture while veering toward thick translation. Black's translation is particularly unique because the translator frequently adopts the author's tone to infuse the original language with cultural context. The distinct socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds of the translators and the intended audience are the primary causes of the four translations' wildly divergent styles.