Metaphor Translation Research Articles

The Study of Metaphor Translation in News English from the Perspective of Relevance Translation Theory

With rapid globalization, people need to read news reports every day to keep pace with the changing world. News, especially English news, has become one of the most effective and fastest means to disseminate information in different languages and cultural backgrounds. The metaphor, as an essential rhetorical method, is always used in news English. The correct understanding of metaphors in the news plays a crucial role in obtaining news information accurately. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve the optimal metaphor translation in news English, so as to promote communication and mutual understanding between different cultures. This paper adopts the relevance translation theory as the theoretical basis. Firstly, the research on the translation of metaphor and news English is reviewed. Secondly, the overview and applicability of the relevance translation theory are elaborated. Finally, under the guidance of this theory, this paper analyzes the three translation methods adopted by translators in translating metaphors, based on the specific examples of news English.

Chinese-English Translation Strategies for Metaphors Based on Domestication and Foreignization

As an essential rhetorical device in language expression, metaphor deeply reflects the cultural background and social cognition. Metaphor translation needs to convey the meaning of language as well as the cultural connotations behind the metaphor. This study found that when the metaphorical images contain the same symbolic meaning in Chinese and English cultures, applying foreignization to reproduce the original metaphorical images can maintain the uniqueness and writing style of the source text and avoid the loss of cultural connotations in the translation process. Instead, in the case of different metaphorical images, using domestication to replace or omit the original symbolic images in the target language can improve the readability and acceptance of the translation. However, no studies explore applying metaphor translation strategies based on comparing the similarities and differences of metaphors in different languages and cultures, causing subjectivity in selecting metaphor translation strategies. This study compares the symbolic meanings of metaphors in Chinese and English cultures and provides a reliable and objective basis for selecting domestication and foreignization for metaphor translation, which help to achieve more effective faithfulness and cultural transmission. This analysis provides practical references for translation strategies of metaphors and promotes the depth of cross-cultural communication.

A Study of Chinese Translation of The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language from the Perspective of Grammatical Metaphor

In Systemic Functional Linguistics, grammatical metaphor is categorized into ideational and interpersonal types. Translation, as a process of code-switching, involves choosing between congruent and metaphorical forms, each serving different communicative purposes. Distinguishing these forms clarifies their distinct functions. This paper explores the use and importance of grammatical metaphors in translating The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language based on the author’s independent translation practice. Given this, the study achieves three objectives through quantitative and qualitative analysis: (1) examining the distribution of grammatical metaphors in the translation of The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language; (2) exploring the reasons behind their emergence; and (3) analyzing the role these metaphors play in the translation. Translation strategies were classified into two types based on the retention of grammatical metaphors: congruent translation, which simplifies the text and reduces metaphors, and metaphorical translation, which sustains a formal, academic, and concise style. The study reveals that the same translation techniques can be applied across various word, sentence, and text types, with different contexts requiring different methods even for identical grammatical and semantic units. Regardless of whether metaphors are retained, it is essential to ensure faithfulness, fluency, and aesthetics of the translation. Translators should avoid rigid application and decide on metaphor preservation based on the specific context and text type to best convey the original meaning.

TRANSLATION OF METAPHORS IN MODERN DIPLOMATIC DISCOURSE (BASED ON RUSSIAN, CHINESE AND ENGLISH MATERIALS)

A metaphor in diplomatic discourse is a figure of speech or expression that transfers meaning from one context to another, usually to enhance the impact of a message or make complex ideas easier to understand. In diplomacy, metaphors are often used to make communication more visual and memorable, as well as to covertly convey intentions and positions without directly expressing them. This article explores the complexities and subtleties of translating metaphorical expressions that play an important role in diplomatic communication. The author analyzes metaphors used in diplomatic discourse in three different linguistic and cultural contexts: Russian, Chinese and English, highlighting three categories of equivalence: complete, partial and no equivalence. The choice of translation method (literal, descriptive or free) depends on the degree of equivalence of the metaphor in the source and target languages. The study highlights the importance of adequate translation of metaphors for accurate and effective intercultural communication, suggesting translation strategies for each category. The work contributes to translation theory and practice by emphasizing the need to consider cultural and contextual factors to achieve intercultural understanding in diplomacy.

An Intercultural Approach to English Translation of Political Metaphors With Chinese Characteristics

An Intercultural Approach to English Translation of Political Metaphors With Chinese Characteristics

Incorporating cross-linguistic and time-based dimensions to Critical Metaphor Analysis: a specialised hands-on analytical approach

ABSTRACT Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA) regards metaphor as a fundamental means of conceptualising the world, through which the ideology embedded in discourse can be unveiled. Drawing upon the methodologies of Critical Discourse Analysis and Corpus Linguistics, CMA comprises four principle stages: initially, contextual analysis for formulating research questions and selecting texts, followed by metaphor identification, interpretation, and explanation. This schematic four-stage CMA has found widespread applications in analyses of sensitive discourses, particularly political discourses. This study builds upon these schematic four stages, putting forward a more specialised, hands-on analytical approach that is well suited for a range of research objectives in translation and bi/multilingual settings where both cross-linguistic and time-based perspectives can be considered. To provide a step-by-step guide of this cross-linguistic and time-based analytical approach, this study presents two case studies of the Chinese newspaper Global Times’ Chinese-English bilingual COVID-19 reports in 2020. Specifically, metaphor translation and a time series analysis of the attitudinal intensity (strengthening, weakening, or keeping the negativity towards the pandemic unchanged) as manifested through the translation of WAR metaphors were explored. The study concludes by suggesting the application of this analytical approach to other types of metaphor correspondence and time-based analyses.

Deliberate metaphor (use) in translation and interpreting

Abstract This article responds to the latest theoretical and empirical developments in Deliberate Metaphor Theory (DMT) and explores the extension of deliberate metaphor and its use in translation and interpreting. Grounded on a comprehension-based and a production-based perspective of Deliberate Metaphor Theory, I argue that both deliberate metaphor and deliberate metaphor use are valid theoretical constructs for translation and interpreting research. I then discuss some pending issues in researching deliberate metaphor (use) in translation and interpreting.

A Study of Metaphor Translation Strategies in C-E Translation of The Seventh Day

Purpose: Taking the English translation of Yu Hua s novel The Seventh Day as a case study, this paper analyzes the metaphorical effects in literary works and examines the metaphor translation strategies employed in the English translation of The Seventh Day to provide insights for the metaphor translation. Methodology: Elaborating on the cultural implications of metaphors in the original text and using conceptual metaphor theory as a research framework, specific metaphor translation cases in its English translation are studied. Results: Through the study of the original text of The Seventh Day, it is found that the author employs various metaphorical rhetorical devices, imbuing the work with profound philosophical meanings and cultural nuances. Analysis of its translation reveals that translators utilize various strategies to handle metaphors, balancing the literary flavor and cultural implications with the acceptance of target language readers. However, challenges arise in fully conveying the deep meanings of certain metaphors due to cultural differences and differences in language expression habits. Conclusion: Metaphorical language often carries cultural characteristics. To achieve effective metaphor translation, translators should prioritize serving readers, deeply understand the cultural backgrounds of both source and target languages, and employ flexible translation techniques to faithfully convey the style and emotions of the original work.

Translating Metaphors in Political Speeches from English to Arabic: Strategies and Procedures

This study investigates the metaphors’ translation from English to Arabic in political speeches, with the aim of identifying the metaphor translation procedures employed. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research analyzed the translation of 82 English source language (SL) metaphors into Arabic target language (TL), employing Newmark's Metaphor Translation Procedures as a framework. The findings reveal that while certain SL metaphors have direct equivalents in Arabic, the Arabic translator introduced two new variants or procedures (H1 and H2). Appropriate metaphors’ selection in the TL is found to be affected by all of cultural as well as linguistic factors, in addition to text type and metaphor class. The study sheds light on how translators in the TL effectively address linguistic and cultural challenges during metaphor translation, offering valuable insights into the process of English-Arabic translation. Accordingly, Future studies are is recommended to comprehensively analyze metaphor translation in the political discourse context.

AN ANALYSIS OF METAPHOR TRANSLATION IN A NOVEL ENTITLED SITI NURBAYA BY MARAH RUSLI

Siti Nurbaya is one of the well-known works of Indonesian literature. This novel was written by Marah Rusli in 1922 and has been translated into various languages, one of which is translated into English. In literary works, especially old literary works, the use of figurative language is often found, one of which is metaphor. This research will discuss the translation of live and dead metaphors from the source language to the target language. Translating metaphor is one of the subs of literary translation. This research using qualitative method to analyze the novel and find the results of live and dead metaphor translation. The research of this live and dead metaphor using theory from Na’imah (2017). The results of this research is there are live and dead metaphors found in this novel. Even some of the translation is equivalent in meaning with the source language, but some are not equivalent. After analyzing the live and dead metaphors, researcher also analyze the metaphor translation strategies that used by translator to translate the metaphors from SL (Source Language) to TL (Target Language). The results of the translation strategies used by translator are based on Newmark's theory. This translator uses 4 of the 7 strategies proposed by Newmark. In this study the researcher also found metaphor translation strategies used by translator to translate metaphors from the source language to the target language. Based on the analysis using Newmark's theory, this translator uses 4 of the 7 strategies proposed by Newmark. They are reproducing, replacing the image, translating metaphors by simile, and translating metaphors by simile and senses.

Adding synesthetic metaphors in English-Ukrainian translations of fiction

This article combines analytical tools of cognitive translation analysis and affordances of corpus linguistics to inquire into the translation procedure of adding synesthetic metaphoric descriptions in English-Ukrainian translations of fiction. The research is based on 40 examples of addition, extracted manually from Ukrainian translations of Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, The Hours by Michael Cunningham, and The Secret History and The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. All the 40 synesthetic metaphoric descriptions introduced into Ukrainian translations correspond to the source-text non-metaphoric descriptions, though in theory, added synesthetic metaphors could refer to a point in the original where there is no text at all. All of the added synesthetic metaphoric descriptions are based on the TOUCH source domain, which supports Ullmann’s (1957) claim that TOUCH, being the most accessible sensory mode, is a predominant source of cross-sensory transfer. Analysis of results suggests that the translators’ choice to add synesthetic metaphoric descriptions to the target text is influenced by the higher conventionality degree of such descriptions compared to that of the direct non-metaphoric translation equivalents of the non-metaphoric source-text material. Disclosure Statement The authors reported no potential conflicts of interest. * Corresponding author: Olha Zhulavska, 0000-0002-3132-6877o.gulawskay@gf.sumdu.edu.ua

Strategi Penerjemahan Metafora pada Novel "L'Etranger" ke Dalam Bahasa Jawa "Wong Njaba" Karya Albert Camus

This study aims to describe the strategy of translating metaphors in the novel “L'Etranger” into the Javanese “Wong Njaba” by Albert Camus. Metaphor is an expression that is often found in literary works. In the translation process, the translation of metaphors is one of the problems that are often encountered by translators, therefore a strategy in the translation of metaphors is absolutely necessary so that the reader can properly capture the message and impression that the author wants to convey. The data source used is the novel “L'Etranger” and its translation, “Wong Njaba”. The data used are metaphorical expressions and their translations. The data collection method used in this study is simak with techniques of catat. The results show that the metaphor translation strategy used by the translator is that (Source Language) SL metaphor is translated into the same metaphor in (target Language) TL, metaphor in SL is translated into simile in TL, SL metaphor is translated become different metaphors in SL but have the same meaning, and metaphors in SL which are translated into non-metaphorical expressions.

Characteristics and translation of metaphorical language in traditional Chinese medicine texts

This article is devoted to the study of the characteristics of metaphorical language and its translation in the texts of traditional Chinese medicine. The research subject of this article is metaphorical language in TCM texts. The characteristics of the metaphorical language of TCM texts determine that translation should focus on cross-cultural communication and meaning interpretation. The purpose of the study is to investigate, learn how to accurately decipher metaphorical language and convey the connotation of these metaphorical expressions, so as to promote the effective dissemination of TCM culture in intercultural communication. And also - to reduce misunderstandings caused by cultural and linguistic differences, to improve the quality and accuracy of translations of TCM texts, to build a better linguistic bridge for TCM to the world. In terms of research methodology, this paper uses the method of literature study - extensive collection of relevant information and detailed interpretation of typical metaphorical expressions, as well as the method of comparative analysis - comparing the differences in the use of metaphorical language in different literatures. Scientific novelty is reflected in the in-depth interpretation and translation of TCM metaphors. Through an in-depth study of TCM theories and practices, the scientific principles underlying metaphors are revealed and presented to readers in a clearer and more accurate way. At the same time, innovative translation methods such as the method of literal translation with commentary, the free translation method, etc., allow readers to better understand the unique meaning of TCM metaphors. Through in-depth analysis, it is found that metaphorical language has important characteristics such as imagery, cultural relevance and polysemy, and is an important cognitive approach and tool in Chinese medicine and at the same time not only embodies a special description of physiological phenomena, but also a unique cognitive marker of alternative psychophysiological communication.

A Study on the Category Transformation of Conceptual Metaphor Translation in Academic Literature

A Study on the Category Transformation of Conceptual Metaphor Translation in Academic Literature

Metaphorical translation strategies of the white paper "China's Green Development in the New Era"

In recent years, the use of metaphor in white papers has proliferated as it plays a significant role in cognitive processing. In order to shed light on the intricate relationship between humans and the natural environment, this study focuses on the analysis of metaphor usage in a particular white paper titled "China's Green Development in the New Era" within the field of ecopolitics. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, namely the utilization of a self-built corpus and case studies, is employed to categorize the translation strategies of metaphors. The findings of this study demonstrate that the metaphors utilized in the white paper effectively capture elements of social cognition and ideology. Moreover, with the assistance of part-of-speech tagging tools, it is observed that most translated metaphors strive to maintain the salient features of the source text, aiming to achieve equivalence in both form and meaning.

A study on the C-E translation of metaphor in Fortress Besieged from the perspective of cultural translation theory

A study on the C-E translation of metaphor in Fortress Besieged from the perspective of cultural translation theory

A Study on the Translation of Metaphors in Third Volume of Translation of Legend of the Condor Heroes from the Embodied Cognitive Linguistics

Traditionally, metaphor was only regarded as a rhetorical device and neglected human cognition. Unlike traditional metaphor studies, contemporary metaphor studies not only view metaphor as a linguistic phenomenon, but also a cognitive phenomenon, and a basic way for humans to understand the world. This study starts from the perspective of Embodied Cognitive Linguistics and analyzes the Chinese and English translations of The Legend of the Condor Heroes from the three core principles. It provides a new perspective for metaphor research in martial art.

A Contrastive Study of the Translator’s Behaviour in English and Spanish Translations of Metaphors in Xi Jinping: The Governance of China

This study examines the English and Spanish translations of metaphors in Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (I-III) within the theoretical framework of Translator Behavior Criticism. In the description of the translators’ behavioral tendencies and diachronic changes, differences are identified between the English and Spanish translating teams with regards to their philosophy of translation, which leads to an analysis of the social motivations of the translators’ behaviors within the field of political discourse translation in China. The following findings have been derived: 1) The Spanish translation is faithful to the form of expression of the ST, which suggests a translators’ behavioral tendency towards the “truth-seeking” principle. The English translation is freer since it upholds a semantic rather than formal equivalence to the ST, suggesting that the English translating team is more oriented towards the “utility-attaining” principle than their Spanish counterparts. 2) Observed from a diachronic perspective, the English translating team always maintained a balance between the two above-mentioned principles in translating the metaphors and their “truth-seeking” and “utility-attaining” behaviors were both enhanced in their translation of the third volume. The Spanish translating team always tilted towards the “truth-seeking” principle, demonstrating just a slight increase of “utility-attaining” behavior throughout their translation of the three volumes. 3) There is an evident difference between the English and Spanish translating teams regarding their “philosophy of faithfulness”. A “semantic” faithfulness with pragmatic concerns advocated by the former team is becoming the mainstream norm governing the current field of political discourse translation in China.

A Study on Metaphor Japanese Translation Strategies in Political Literature from the Perspective of Cognitive Linguistics

From the perspective of cognitive linguistics, translation is a practical activity with cognitive attributes. Relevance theory interprets the deep structure and meaning of metaphors from the perspective of optimal relevance, providing an evaluation mechanism for metaphor research within the framework of cognitive linguistics theory. Metaphor translation is the conversion between two languages, and the cultural differences between languages inevitably hinder this conversion process, making metaphor translation a difficult task. As an indispensable expression in political literature, metaphor permeates the cultural connotations of discourse, reflects the ideology of discourse, and provides a basis for interpreting the deep structure of discourse. This article takes the metaphor and translation of discourse in political literature as the research object, and explores the Japanese translation strategies of metaphors from the perspective of cognitive linguistics.

MODULATION OF MOVING CONCEPTUAL METAPHORS IN VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION IN ECONOMIC DISCOURSE

The emergence of Cognitive Linguistics (CL) and the introduction of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) have provided a novel lens through which metaphor translation can be examined. The persistent concern of translation practice remains the effective transmission of meaning and messages. To achieve this objective, modulation may be needed to effectively communicate the intended information. This sequential mixed method study investigates the translation of metaphoric expressions rooted in the conceptual metaphor “ECONOMIC CHANGES ARE WAYS OF MOVING” in English and Vietnamese economic press releases. The findings reveal that a significant number of metaphoric expressions are retained in translation with minimal alterations, suggesting a high degree of cross-linguistic conceptual coherence concerning economic changes. However, occasional modifications are observed, highlighting the potential influence of modulations on the conceptualization of economic events and the underlying conceptual metaphors within the Vietnamese economic context. This study contributes to providing insights into the dynamic interplay between language and conceptualization in the translation of economic news.