Translation Strategies for Huangmei Opera Aria English Versions Based on the Theory of Functional Equivalence: An Analysis of Huangmei Opera Translations

Abstract

As one of the five major Chinese operas and an important vehicle for cross-cultural communication, Huangmei Opera integrates language, singing, music, performance, and set design, reflecting the traditional cultural characteristics of China and its regions. With its unique singing style, beautiful lyrics, and strong local cultural expressiveness, Huangmei Opera is deeply loved by the public. However, due to cultural differences between China and other countries, it is difficult for English translations of the lyrics to reflect local characteristics and retain the original flavor. Guided by cultural translation theory and taking wonderful singing segments from Huangmei Opera as examples, this paper mainly explores the English translation strategies of Huangmei Opera, specifically analyzing the application of translation techniques such as addition, transposition, omission, and domestication in the singing segments to achieve equivalent functions at the cultural level. This provides a new perspective for the translation of drama and promotes the dissemination and exchange of Chinese opera culture.