杨宪益版红楼梦中颜色词的翻译分析.doc

杨宪益版红楼梦中颜色词的翻译分析The Analysis of the Translation of Color Terms in Yangs A Dream of Red MansionsAbstract: Hongloumeng is one of the greatest Chinese classical novels. It not only occupies an honored place in Chinese literature, but also enjoys a good reputation in the world literature. By 1980s, the translation version of HonloumengA Dream of Red Mansions has been accomplished by Yang Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang. It means a lot for the translation field, especially for the translation of Chinese ancient novels. And quickly there followed lots of researches and comments on the translation version of Hongloumeng from every aspect. For example, some people focus on the translation of adages, some are much interested in the translation of dialogues, and some may pay much attention to the translation of poems. While, this paper mainly focus on the translation of color terms appeared in the novel. There are so many color terms which are of different significance，different usage and cultural values in the novel. They reflect peoples history, aesthetic standard and national inner world. And they have rich cultural connotations which could help a lot in literature.Key words: color terms; translation; A Dream of Red Mansions 摘要：红楼梦是一本中国古典小说，它不仅仅是中国文学史上的一个伟大成就，更在世界文学史上享有盛誉。十九世纪八十年代，杨宪益和他的妻子完成了红楼梦的翻译。这对于翻译界意义非凡，尤其是对于中国古典小说的翻译。很快，文学界出现了不少对于红楼梦译本的评论与研究，例如，对于体态语的翻译，对于对话的翻译，对于诗歌的翻译。而本文着重于研究杨宪益的红楼梦译本中对于颜色词的翻译。颜色词对于文学有着非凡的意义。它有着丰富的隐语意义，从很大程度上反映着不同的文化。关键词：颜色词； 翻译；红楼梦Content. Introduction1. The Introduction of Translation Versions of Hongloumeng.1. The Introduction of Color terms.2A. The different connotations of color terms in Chinese and English culture.21. Red.22. Yellow.33. Blue.3B. The classification of color terms41. Basic color terms42. Entity color terms.43. Compound color terms4.The Importance of the Translation of Color Terms in A Dream of Red Mansions5A. Color terms help with the description of facial expressions5 B. Color terms imply peoples social status.6C. Color terms can help to portray a characters personality.8.The Main Translation Strategies of Color Terms in Yangs A Dream of Red Mansions.8A. Consider about the center word and judge from the whole.8B. Respect the language habits9 C. Pay attention to the metaphors9D. Use the compound words.10. Conclusion.10Works Cited.11. IntroductionLanguage is a kind of social phenomenon and is the carrier of culture. At the same time，it is an important part of cultureCultural concepts underline the variety of language usage and habits. The ways of thinking, beliefs, and attitudes. However, it is vocabulary that carries the cultural information most and reflects the human beings social and cultural life most obviously. Vocabulary encapsulates the different cultures，meanwhile，cultural differences result in connotative divergence of vocabulary. Almost every language has color termsHowever，the words to describe the same color differ from one language to another for certain reasons such as surroundings, religious beliefs and customs of different nations. Different nations because of different locations， histories，religions，psychologies and social customs，have different means to express the same concept and attach different associate meanings to it influenced by their unique culture. These different associate meanings are different cultural meanings or connotative meanings the words have(Li 279).With the development of society and culture，color terms are branded with national culture，reflect national features and display different nations values and aesthetic standards，especially in many literature works，color terms are frequently used and have profound meanings. . The Introduction of Translation Versions of HongloumengAs one of the most classic literature works in Chinese history, Hongloumeng attracted plenty of readers to appreciate and scholars to make researches on, with its unique culture and long-lasting charm. So far, it has already been translated to 16 kinds of languages. Just for the English version of translation, it has been through a long and hard time. From 1830 to 1986, nine English versions of Hongloumeng came out. Among them two versions attract most attention: one is by David Hawkes and John Minford(short for Hawkes later); the other by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang(short for the Yangs later). In Hawkes version, every single character is translated carefully, which shows his responsibility and fidelity to the original text. As for the Yangs version, similar intension and determination are displayed in the instruction and the translated text. It is like a bridge of culture interaction between China and English speaking countries. And of course, it also means a lot for the translation field, especially for the translation of Chinese ancient novels. And quickly there followed lots of researches and comments on these two translation versions of Hongloumeng in every aspect. For example, some people focus on the translation of adages, some are much interested in the dialogues, and some may pay much attention to the body language est. While, this essay mainly focus on the study of color terms appeared in the novel. There are so many color terms，which are of different significance，different usage and cultural values. They reflect peoples history, aesthetic standard and national inner world. And they do play an important part in literature. They also have rich cultural connotations which could help a lot in expression. The Introduction of Color Terms The meanings of the color terms can be greatly influenced by a countrys language and culture. Translator Hu Wenzhong once said, “The real communication between two countries is based on the combination of language and culture.” That is to say, except from a basic knowledge of a color terms meaning, we also have to have a good understanding of the culture behind it if we want to translate it in a right way (Zhang 155).There are many color terms in English like “red”, “yellow” , “ blue”, “ black” and “white”. They all have some extended meanings due to the different cultural backgrounds. And it is because that people always add good meanings or bad meanings to color terms when they are under a certain cultural background and being involved in their personal feeling of cognition and experience towards the world. Therefore, when translating the color terms, we should not only consider their basic meanings, but their extended meanings due to the certain cultural background (Li 85).A. The different connotations of color terms in Chinese and English culture.1. RedIt is a popular color in Chinese culture, associated with warmth, life and the Fire Element, denoted good fortune and happiness. It emerges as a sacred and vitalizing color used on festive occasions. In China, the color red not only serves to express joy, but also to ward off evil influences. Since the ancient times, there has been national psychology of worshipping red. Liu Bang, the first emperor in the Han Dynasty, called himself “The son of Red Emperor”(赤帝之子). The high-ranking officials lived in the residence with a red gate, sitting in the red sedan, wearing the red clothes. The Chinese regard red as the “lucky color”, as is shown in the expressions “红双喜”， “开门红”. On Chinese New Year, children in Chinese families are given little red packets or envelops packed with money or treats as tokens of good wishes. The color red is also featured prominently in the clothing and other ritual objects pertaining to be the traditional Chinese wedding. Chinese brides wear red dresses and wedding invitations are printed on red paper (Wang 14).While, in western countries, many of the red-related English terms have a pejorative or unpleasant meaning, such as “see red”(发怒), “red neck”(乡巴佬), “red flag”(危险的信号).2. YellowIn ancient China, yellow is a royal color used by emperors, representing power and authority. It is associated with the Earth Element, which symbolizes growth. The Chinese word for yellow, huang(黄)，sounds like the word for “royal, (皇)” and thus was chosen thousands of years ago as the exclusive color for the imperial household. Under the penalty of death, no Chinese person other than the emperor was permitted to be clothed in any shade of yellow or gold.In the west, yellow arouses twofold associations. Being the color of gold and sun, it symbolizes perfection, wealth, credit and power. But it also has some negative meanings. In Middle Europe, bright yellow denotes envy and jealousy. Thats why “yellow with envy” is sometimes used to replace “green with envy”. In the mediaeval times, pale yellow was the color of treacherous aggression. And in modern English, yellow is often related to cowardice, for example “be yellow” (胆小的), “have a yellow streak”(胆小)， “yellow dog”(胆小鬼)(Wang 15).Y3. Blue Blue, the color of sky and water, in the west is the emblem of calm, reflection, modesty and intellect; its also regarded as the holy color, associated with sacredness, truth and loyalty. In English “blue blood” means born of a noble family or descendant of a royal, noble family. Similarly, “blue book”(蓝皮书，英国议会报告), “blue-brick university”(名牌大学), “blue ribbon”(蓝绶带，最高荣誉的标记), “blue stocking”(女学者), all having something to do with high social status and authority. Meanwhile it has its negative implication, such as gloom, unhappiness, sorrow, even obscenity, filth, such as “feel blue”, “in the blues”, “sing the blues”(沮丧，悲伤), “blue film”(色情电影), “blue jokes”(黄笑话). While, in China, it seldom be used to describe a sad mood.B. The classification of color terms1. Basic color termsThe basic color terms refer to those which can denote the colors of the natural things. To name a few, (白色)white, (黑色)black, (灰色)gray, (棕色)brown, (红色)red, (绿色)green, (黄色)yellow, (蓝色)blue, (紫色)purple, (粉色)pink etc. And when involved in translation, these words could always be directly translated, for example, in Mao Zedongs poem: 赤橙黄绿青蓝紫，谁持彩练当空舞？雨后复夕阳，关山阵阵苍。Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet- Who is dancing, waving this colored ribbon against the sky? The sun returns slanting after the rain.2. Entity color termsThe entity color terms are, originally, the names of some things in the nature. And gradually, these names obtain new senses, for these objects themselves represent some distinctive colors. Therefore, these entity color terms have dual meanings: the objects and the colors they represent, the followings are frequently used in English: gold(金色), silver(银色), violet(紫罗兰色), orange(橙色), chocolate(巧克力，深褐色), mulberry(桑椹，深紫色), sable(黑貂，黑色), vermilion(朱砂，鲜红色), indigo(蓝靛，青色), umber(储石，黄褐色), ect. 3. Compound color termsa. The structure of “entity color term + basic color term”宝玉道：“也罢了，也打一条桃红，再打一条葱绿。”（曹 887）“All right. Do me one also in peach-pink and another in leek-green.”(Yang 701) Here we can see the color terms “桃红” and “葱绿” were translated to “peach-pink” and “leek-green”, “peach” and “leek” are the entity color terms, and “pink” and “green” were the basic color terms. And this kind of structure can make the description more detailed and vivid. “这是昨日你要的青纱一匹，奶奶另外送你一个实地子月白纱作里子。”（曹 515）“This is the green gauze you admired yesterday,” she said. “And here is some pale grey gauze from our mistress for a lining” (Yang 841)李纹道 “阳回斗转杓，寒山乙失翠。”（曹 567）Li Wen: The Dipper turns and longer the nights grow. Cold hills have lost their vivid green.(Yang 1004)From the above two examples, we can find that “月白” and “翠” were translated to “pale grey” and “vivid green”. “Pale” and “vivid” are adjectives, while, here they are used to modify a certain kind of color word, which make the description of color more detailed. Besides these two adjectives, there are still many adjectives can be used in this way: “light”, “dark”, “rich”, “strong” ect.b.The structure of “basic color word + -ish + basic color word”临窗大炕上铺着猩红洋毯，正面设着大红金钱蟒靠背，石青金钱蟒引枕，秋香色金钱蟒大条褥（曹 578）。The large Kang by the window was covered with a scarlet foreign rug. In the middle were red black rests and turquoise bolsters, both with dragon-design medallions, and a long greenish yellow mattress also with dragon medallions (Yang 655).只见他里头传着一件半新的靠色三镶领袖秋香色盘金五色绣龙窄跟小袖掩衿银鼠短袄（曹 466）。Taking off the coat she revealed a narrow-sleeved, none too new greenish yellow satin tunic lined with white squirrel, with fur-lined cuffs and collar, which was embroidered with dragons with goldthread and colored silks(Yang 766).We can see “秋香色” be used for many times in Hongloumeng to describe the color of clothes and other things. And Mr. Yang translated it to “greenish yellow”. .The Importance of the Translation of Color Terms in A Dream of Red MansionsA. Color terms help with the description of facial expressions Being one of the greatest works in Chinese literature field, A Dream of Red Mansions has already become a certain kind of learning. People are being much involved in the story and impressed by the characters. So there are all kinds of studies on it, especially the study on some certain characters like Baoyu, Daiyu or Baochai. However, to make those characters being vivid and lifelike, the description of the characters facial expressions is very essential. Because we could probably judge a characters inner feelings, personality, attitude or self-cultivation from his or her facial expression. And, it is those color terms that contribute a lot in the expression of facial expressions both in Chinese and English. For example, the color term “red”. It is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure. Thats why its usually used to express a feeling of anger, excitement, impatient or shyness. And thats why we always see some expressions in Chinese to describe people, like “脸红脖子粗” or “羞红了脸”, and some expressions in English like “paint the town red” (狂欢) or “red about the gills” (发怒，喝酒后脸红). And in Yangs translation work, we can find the examples as follows: Pao-chin got red in the face. Dropping her head against her chest, she gave a faint smile; but she uttered not a word by way of response.( Yang 853).The color term “red” from the example obviously shows the readers Bao-chins facial expression: feeling shy and a little bit embarrassed and do not know what to say. At this insinuation, Tai-yü unconsciously blushed scarlet. “One t