A Study on the Translation of Cultural Loaded Words in Tao Te Ching from the Perspective of Reception Aesthetics - Taking Xu Yuanchong’s English Version as an Example

Abstract

With the emergency of the study of ancient world classics in the world, the translation research of classics has received wide attention. As a civilizational state, China has a large number of ancient classic works, attracting a large number of scholars to study ancient Chinese classics. The translation of cultural-loaded words in classic works is a direct means of classic study. This paper takes the English translation of the cultural-loaded words in the ancient Chinese classic work Tao Te Ching as a case, and analyzes the translation methods and existing problems of cultural-loaded words from the perspectives of social and religious dimensions. After analyzing Xu Yuanchong’s translation practice of Tao Te Ching, this paper explains how the translator translates cultural-loaded words to balance cultural fidelity and the acceptance of the target readers. This translation approach is expected to enrich the theoretical perspective of classic translation of Chinese works, help overseas readers understand Chinese classic works, and facilitate cultural communication and mutual learning among civilizations.