Abstract：Hong Long Meng is a renowned classic Chinese novel and there are many different translated versions in the world. In translating this great literary work, different translators have adopt different strategies and methods. Based on the theories of functional equivalence and domestication translation, this paper tries to analyze factors that influence translation practices, which can be roughly classified into three: religion, customs and tradition, and language. In order to illustrate the failures and successes in applying domestication in translation, most examples cited in this paper are of domestication and are viewed from the perspective of functional equivalence. In the end, it is concluded that domestication translation, being properly applied, can help translators in faithfully expressing the intention of the writer and make translated texts function equally as the original text.

Keywords: functional equivalence; domestication; Hong Lou Meng

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

中文摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-2

Chapter Three  Translations of Hong Long Meng and Functional Equivalence-4

3.1 Domestication and Foreignization in Translations of Hong Lou Meng-4

3.1.1 Yang Hsien-yi’s Translation-4

3.1.2 Hawkes’s Translation-5

3.2 Functional Equivalence-6

3.2.1 Eugene Nida and His Functional Equivalence-6

3.2.2 Features of Functional Equivalence-7

Chapter Four Analysis of Domestication in Translation of Hong Lou Meng-9

4.1 Linguistic Level-9

4.2 Religion Level-10

4.3 Custom and Tradition Level-12

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-14

WORKS CITED-15