Ecological Classification of Chinese culture-loaded words

Ecological Classification of Chinese culture-loaded words

Ecology relates to the patterns that indicate the relationship between plants, human beings, animals, and the entire surrounding. Therefore it means that Chinese’s culture loaded words define some vital aspects of the surrounding. Consequently, Chinese culture loaded words define the essential geographical characteristics that solely describe not only the community’s language but also the features of the environment (Nan, 2011). China refers to the country with an enormous size that includes various landscapes and water basins. The natural features available get recognized through different loaded words. China possesses multiple culture loaded words that increase its superiority thus strengthening the Chinese language and their ancient traditions.

Material Classification of Chinese Culture-loaded Words

The classification gets related to the material items made by the nation of China. The country gets termed as the most innovative, where Chinese people create different things. Therefore, the goods produced get given Chinese terms that are only known to the Chinese community (Xiao-dan, 2010). They may include tools, products, and articles which may relate to the material culture connected to a particular Chinese community. Therefore it becomes hard to translate to the foreigners in case the Chinese words fail to have their English counterparts for comparison. The Chinese culture-loaded words are also unfamiliar to the English experts, thus calling for specific people who understand both English and Chinese.

Linguistic Classification of Chinese Culture-loaded Words

These types of culture-loaded words refer to the terminologies of the characteristics that define the formal, grammatical systems, and phonemic aspects of a particular language community. English is said to be apparent to the Indo-European family. On the other hand, Chinese fits the Sino-Tibetan family. Therefore, both of the classifications differ in syntax, grammar, sound and lexicon. In comparison to the Chinese language, English appears to be more streamlined, rational, symbolic, abstract and logical. It, therefore, means that some Chinese culture loaded words may be reasonable but become void if poorly translated. Chinese words become intuitive, pictographic, ethical, esthetic and comprehensive. Therefore they require proper translation for the foreigners to understand.

Translation Theories Connected to Chinese Culture-loaded Word

Translation of chines culture-loaded words call for a proper formality to ensure that people get satisfied with the information presented. There can be many translators, some of whom can give null information different from which the words express. Therefore it calls for an expert in the field of translation, which can make this understanding as useful as possible. Consequently, researchers have come up with various theories that explain the translation of Chinese culture-loaded words. The theories include Relevance theory and Equivalence translation theory.

Equivalence Theory

Equivalence gets widely used in the translation of Chinese words. Numerous experts indicate equivalence knowledge, thus putting across various opinions concerning the translation of Chinese culture-loaded words. A researcher known as Nida suggests the difference between dynamic and formal equivalence in the translation of Chinese culture-loaded words. Nida stipulates that formal equivalence relates to a coherent production of the Chinese source text that most people need to contemplate (Hua, 2012). The theory indicates that naturalness of expressions targets to describe the translation of dynamic equivalence. Nevertheless, dynamic equivalence does not define the cultural pattern that depicts the language source context. Equivalence theory harbours the communicative translation and semantic translation. Communicative translation influence the audience to help them understand the message hidden under the culture loaded words. Semantic translation employs syntactic structures that ease understanding.

Relevance Theory

The theory got proposed by Wilson and Sperber, where they based it on the relevance principle by Grice. The theory gets based on not only the cognitive aspect but also the aspect of communication. Therefore the elements of communication and cognition dramatically contribute to the thoughts of translators who are experts in cognitive pragmatics (Xia-lin, 2008). The application of relevance theory into translation to help people understand the process taken for the information to reach the final recipient. Additionally, context and cognition also play a significant part in the relevance translation. The theory, therefore, targets the audience and mostly the foreigners who need to understand the Chinese culture-loaded words.

Translation Strategies

They include Domestication and Foreignization strategies.

Foreignization Strategy

This technique aims to develop a practice that strongly resists enormous specific language norms that compromise Chinese traditions. The strategy also tends to signify not only the cultural differences but also the linguistics of different understanding. Foreignization translation targets to retain the cultural flavours of the primary source of the language in question. In return, this allows the reader to possess an alien reading experience (Jia, 2007). The strategy can thus get a higher degree of credibility through the coherent transfer of cultural features from the source text into the complex target text. Thus, this strategy gives a clear explanation of social culture loaded phrases of the Chinese people. Therefore, the plan becomes effective, thus leaving foreigners in satisfaction.

Domestication Strategy

Domestication technique reduces the foreignness of the original language source texts by transitioning it from heterogeneity into simpler terms. Therefore, the strategy tries to make it easier for readers to understand. Domestication differentiates into free translation and substitution to assist in the understanding of Chinese culture-loaded words. Free translation indicates that the content translated remains the outcome of the source language. Substitution refers to the replacement of complicated words with specific items that are easily understood. Thus, substituting the Chinese culture-loaded words helps the target audience contemplate the initial purpose of the writer.

Research Methods

The research will employ Questionnaires, case studies, and observation trials. Individuals will be selected in both china and targeted foreign countries to collect data using questionnaires. The questionnaires will have various questions that pertain to the understanding of Chinese culture-loaded words (Walliman, 2017). In some countries such as Russia and African countries, case studies will be adequate to understand the trends of how people have responded to Chinese culture over the past years. Case studies get grounded on the in-depth investigation of single entities and groups, thus reaching essential conclusions. Additionally, observation trials will yield valuable data because it will incorporate a participatory study. The researchers selected will immerse themselves in the places where respondents will be numerous. They will later record the talks and even take notes regarding the research.

Research Plan

The research plan will include the research topic, background information, aims, and research questions, literature review based on research questions, methods, conclusion and references. Background information provides explanations of the research topic. Chinese culture-loaded words have been in existence since ancient times. Nevertheless, it is easier for the native Chinese to understand, but it becomes a challenge to foreigners. Therefore, the theories and strategies explain how other foreigners can understand words. Research methods include the techniques used for data collection. The conclusion will sum up the introduction and literature review. Lastly, reference will indicate the source of information about the research proposal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Chinese culture-loaded words seem comprehensive, thus implicating the understanding by most foreigners. Nevertheless, translation theories and strategies tend to simplify and solve this menace. The main aim was to understand the Chinese culture-loaded words and how the help of theories and techniques translates them. Not only domestication but also foreignization strategies indicate contrasting viewpoints concerning the treatment of Chinese elements of translation. Foreignization approach tends to be taken as a general trend while domestication strategy gets undervalued. Therefore, conflicts on the theories and strategies face limited competences, thus failing to provide an ideal understanding of Chinese culture-loaded words.

References

Xia-lin, D. I. N. G. (2008). The” Foreignizing” Strategy of Translating Chinese-culture-loaded words in American Magazines [J]. Shenzhen University Journal (Humanities & Social Sciences), 3.

Hua, S. O. N. G. (2012). An Interpreting Study of Chinese Culture-loaded Words from the Perspective of Relevance-Adaptation Model [J]. Language and Translation, 1.

Nan, G. X. M. D. (2011). On the Ecological Translation of Chinese Culture-loaded Words in the Context of Globalization [J]. Journal of Hunan University of Science & Technology (Social Science Edition), 4.

Jia, L. (2007). Approaches and Methods of Culture-loaded Words Translation from Chinese to English——A Case Study of the New Year’s Sacrifice written by Lu Xun [J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 4.

Vivar, C. G., McQueen, A., Whyte, D. A., & Armayor, N. C. (2007). Getting started with qualitative research: Developing a research proposal. Nurse researcher, 14(3).

Walliman, N. (2017). Research methods: The basics. Routledge.

Xiao-dan, C. H. E. N. (2010). On Classification and Translation of Culture-loaded Words in terms of Semantic Vacancy. Journal of Qinghai Nationalities University (Education Science Edition), (6), 25.

Yuewu, L., & Qin, Y. (2015). An Investigation into the Culture-Loaded Words Learning by English Majors in a Vocational College in China. English Language Teaching, 8(8), 63-78.