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Translator Behavior in the English Translations of the Kangba Writers: A Case Study of Culturally Loaded Terms in Khams-pa and The Secluded Face

Author(s)

Fangchao Li

Affiliation(s)

Kangba Culture Research Center of Sichuan Minzu College, Sichuan Minzu College, Kangding, Sichuan, China

Abstract

The literary works of the Khams-pa writers, as a vital component of contemporary Chinese ethnic minority literature, play a crucial role in China’s strategy for cultural dissemination abroad. This paper focuses on the English translations of Da Zhen’s Khams-pa and Ge Rong Zhuimei’s The Secluded Face, selecting five frequently occurring culturally loaded terms from each to explore the translators’ strategies and behavioral patterns. Findings indicate that within a collaborative translation framework, foreign translators primarily shape the target language expressions, while native translators undertake the cultural interpretation. This division of labor results in a predominantly domesticated translation approach, complemented by selective foreignization. The translators’ behaviors are characterized by a pragmatic commitment to practicality balanced with faithfulness. However, this model also leads to cultural loss and selective omission. By examining the inherent challenges of translating local language cultural features alongside the collaborative translation dynamics, this study provides a nuanced understanding of the phenomenon and offers recommendations for improving the foreign-language translation of works by the Khams-pa writers.

Keywords

Khams-pa Writers; Khams-pa; The Secluded Face; Culturally Loaded Terms; Translator Behavior

References

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