A Study on the English Translation Strategies of Culturally Loaded Terms in Chinese Architectural Aesthetics

Abstract

With the deepening of global cultural exchanges, the international dissemination of Chinese architectural culture has become increasingly important. The English translation of culturally loaded terms in Chinese architectural aesthetics, as the key carrier of this culture, faces challenges such as semantic loss, cultural misreading, and aesthetic dilution. This study, grounded in the theoretical framework of cultural translation, systematically sorts and analyzes the culturally loaded terms in Chinese architectural aesthetics. Through a combination of case analysis and comparative research, it explores the applicability and effects of different translation strategies (such as transliteration, literal translation, liberal translation, annotation, and transliteration + literal translation) for different types of terms. The research finds that the choice of translation strategy should follow the principles of "culture as the foundation, communication as the purpose, and audience as the guide," forming a dynamic and multi-level strategy system. For core philosophical and aesthetic concepts (e.g. Qiyun, Yijing), a strategy combining transliteration and annotation is recommended to preserve cultural identity; for technical and morphological terms with corresponding objects (e.g., Dougong, Sunmao), literal translation or transliteration + literal translation can be used to ensure accuracy; for terms describing styles and sensations (e.g., Feidong, Chenwen), liberal translation is more conducive to conveying aesthetic feelings. This study aims to provide theoretical reference and practical guidance for the translation of Chinese architectural texts, cross-cultural communication of architecture, and the compilation of relevant dictionaries, thereby promoting the global understanding and recognition of the profoundness of Chinese architectural culture.