Comparing the Impolite Expressions in the A Dream of Red Mansion from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence Theory

Abstract

The English versions significantly contributed to the influence of A Dream of Red Mansion. From the perspective of impoliteness, the paper analyses and compares the translation tactics on the impolite expressions between two English versions, The Story of the Stone by David Hawkes and The Dream of Red Mansion by Yang Xianyi. This thesis makes a comparative analysis of the two English versions under the direction of Functional Equivalence Theory.The main finding were: 1) Discuss the pragmatic function of the impolite languages in the novel. 2)The application of functional equivalence theory in novel translation. 3) Analyze the translation preference of both translators. The Yang Xianyi prefer foreignlization translation and Dr. Hawkes prefer localization translation on impolite expressions. This paper contributes to the further research of the language of A Dream of Red Mansion and the translation criticism study of both translators.