Translation Strategies based on Cultural Image and Symbolism in Chinese Ancient Poetry

Abstract

As the treasure of Chinese literature, ancient poetry contains rich cultural images. It is not only the crystallization of language art but also the carrier of cultural inheritance. Image and symbolism play an essential role in ancient Chinese poetry, which not only enriches the connotation of poetry but also brings challenges to translation. In the translation of ancient Chinese poetry, accurately conveying cultural images has become an essential task for translators. This paper takes one of the renowned Tang-dynasty poets, Li Bai's Silent Night Thoughts, as an example to explore the cultural images in ancient Chinese poetry and its translation strategies. Through the analysis of different versions of the poem translation, combined with the cultural background and language characteristics, this paper discusses the methods and techniques of the translation of cultural images and symbolism in ancient Chinese poetry in order to provide a new way of thinking and perspective for the translation of Chinese ancient poetry.