The Chinese Translation of Spells in the Harry Potter Series from a Cross-cultural Perspective

Abstract

As a world-renowned fantasy series, Harry Potter has garnered widespread acclaim and a global readership. Within the novels, magic incantations, characterized by their enigmatic and supernatural properties, play a crucial role. However, the translation of these magic spells presents significant challenges at linguistic, artistic, and cultural levels. This necessitates that translators skillfully navigate the cultural contexts of diverse nationalities and cultures. From a cross-cultural studies perspective, this research focuses on the translation of Harry Potter spells, comparing and analyzing the strategies and outcomes involved in translating the symbolic meanings embedded in the text. Through an examination of these translations, this study explores how cultural information is processed in the translation of magical elements, demonstrating the applicability and guiding significance of selected translation strategies for spell translation in cross-cultural communication. This, in turn, facilitates dialogue and cultural enrichment across different societies.