A Study on the English Translations of Culture-loaded Words in Qing Pingdiao

Abstract

This paper examines the English translation strategies of culturally loaded terms in Qing Pingdiao, a group of poems by Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai. Qing Pingdiao embodies distinct cultural uniqueness, presenting challenges in conveying imagery, explaining background information, and reproducing rhythmic beauty in translation. The paper compares the translation approaches of Xu Yuanchong and Zhao Yanchun, revealing that Xu adopts a foreignization strategy, emphasizing the preservation of the original poem's cultural essence and seeking "form-spirit equivalence," while Zhao employs a domestication strategy, prioritizing cross-cultural poetic resonance and constructing universal aesthetic experiences. These differing strategies highlight the influence of translator subjectivity, suggesting that a diverse range of strategies is essential for the elevation of Chinese poetry from "cultural export" to "civilizational dialogue."