Abstract

Hongloumeng which ranks the peak of the Chinese classical novels, follows the tragic love story between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu and describes the prosperity and decline of an aristocratic family. It reflects the social history of the Qing Dynasty. Hongloumeng has two complete English versions, one of which is A Dream of Red Mansions translated by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang and the other is David Hawkes’ The Story of the Stone. The paper mainly analyzes the differences between the two English versions from the perspective of Functional Equivalence and points out some shortages of the translation as well as some measures to improve the translation.

Key Words: literary translation, Functional Equivalence, Chinese classical literature,  Hongloumeng 

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

I. Introduction-1

II. Literature Review-3

   2.1. Different Analyses of the Two English Versions-3

   2.2. The Study from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence-4

III. The Analysis of the Two English Versions-6

3.1. The Analysis in Terms of Poetry-6

3.2. The Analysis in Terms of Euphemism-7

3.3. The Analysis in Terms of People’s Names-9

IV. Some Shortages and Implications in the Two English Versions..10

4.1. Meanings and Problems of the Appliance of Functional Equivalence-10

4.1.1. Problems of Terms of Address-11

4.1.2. Problems of Misunderstanding-12

4.2. Measures to Improve the Translation-13

V. Conclusion-14

References.16