ABSTRACT

Hong Lou Meng, one of China's Four Great Classic Novels, is rich in cultural connotations and enjoys such a remarkable reputation in the world that it is known as the encyclopedia about China's feudal society. Hong Lou Meng is unique and distinctive in every detail. For example, more than three hundred names of characters in the book are not only of profound meanings but also of abundant aesthetic value. These names not only fulfill the appellative function but also show the destiny of the characters and the theme, contributing to its distinctive literary metaphor. 

This thesis, based on a comparison between the two translation versions---A Dream of Red Mansions translated by Yang Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang and The Story of the Stone by David Hawkes and John Minford, has sorted out their different strategies adopted to render personal names and the metaphor embedded in them. This thesis has analyzed the gains and losses of the two full translation versions in reproducing the aesthetic value of the original metaphor in personal names, thus evaluating the merits and shortcomings of different translation strategies in conveying metaphor in personal names. 

The thesis aims to enable readers to have a better understanding of translation skills in conveying metaphor in personal names in Hong Lou Meng and to make a better understanding of the plot, the artistic conception and the abundant cultural connotation of the Hong Lou Meng. 

Key words: Hong Lou Meng; metaphor in personal names; translation strategies; aesthetic value 

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One  INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two  LITERATURE REVIEW-3

Chapter Three  The Introduction To Metaphor in Personal Names of Hong Lou Meng-6

3.1 The Definition and Scope of Metaphor in Personal Names-6

3.2 Metaphor in the Personal Names of Hong Lou Meng-7

Chapter Four  Metaphor in Personal Names of Hong Lou Meng and its Aesthetic Values-9

4.1 Metaphor in Pronunciation of Names-9

4.2 Metaphor in Meaning of Names-11

4.3 Metaphor in Neatly Arranged Names-11

Chapter Five Aesthetic Reproduction of Metaphor with Personal Names of Hong Lou Meng-13

5.1 The Overview of Translation Strategies in Two Unabridged Versions-13

5.2 Main Translation Strategies of Metaphor in Person Names of Hong Lou Meng -14

5.2.1 Transliteration-14

5.2.2 Free Translation-15

5.3 The Merits and Shortcomings of Transliteration-18

5.4 The Advantages and Deficiency of Free Translation-19

Chapter Six  Conclusion-21

REFERENCES-23