Employ Condensation Strategy to Study the Translation of Culture-Loaded Words in the Two Versions of The True Story of Ah Q and Border Town

Abstract

Culture-loaded words are of great importance in translation and play a significant role in promoting cross-cultural communication. At the same time, they also pose a great barrier to translators. Lu Xun’s The True Story of Ah Q and Shen Congwen’s Border Town are both masterpieces, and there are a large number of culture-loaded words in these two novels. Yang Xianyi and Dai Naidie as well as the famous translator Lyell have translated The True Story of Ah Q to English. Ching Ti and Robert Payne as well as Kinkley also have translated Border Town to English, introducing it to foreign readers. As for Chinese-English translation, Professor Wang Jianguo has put forward “condensation strategy”, holding the view that this translation strategy is the only way in Chinese-English translation, which can also be applicable to the translation of culture-loaded words. The purpose of “condensation” is to eliminate ambiguity and limit readers’ imagination, providing them with more accurate understanding. This thesis will employ “condensation strategy” to explore the translation of culture-loaded words in the two versions of The True Story of Ah Q and Border Town.