A Study on Translation Strategies for Prose into English under the Think-Aloud Protocol: Taking "I Love the Sea" (Excerpt) as an Example

Abstract

The think-aloud protocol, as an emerging research tool, provides a new perspective for translation studies. This paper takes the prose "I Love the Sea" (excerpt) as an example. Combined with textual comparative analyses, this study explores translators' cross-cultural transfer strategies. The research finds that subjects with translation experience frequently utilize strategies such as syntactic restructuring, memory recall, and so on. In contrast, subjects without translation experience primarily rely on basic strategies. By exploring the specific translation strategies, the results indicate that for the English translation of prose rich in cultural imagery. Translators need to comprehensively consider factors such as the original text's style, cultural connotation, and target audience. They should flexibly apply various translation strategies to achieve a dynamic balance between linguistic, thereby enhancing translation quality.