Rewriting to reproduce beauty: a comparative case study of Hong Lou Meng

To translate Hong Lou Meng, the translator must address these differences. This thesis will show that the two translators of Hong Lou Meng under discussion here use different translation strategies to solve this problem. Where Yang’s translation is mainly literal, Hawkes rewrites.

By analysing the two translations, we find that, compared to literal translation, rewriting makes the target text more readable and comprehensive. I suggest that translation through rewriting allows the translator to manipulate words and concepts so to adapt them to the target text culture. By rewriting, translation thus v breaks free from differences on the linguistic level but turns to the levels of meaning and emotions instead.

As a consequence, Chinese classical literature may become easier to understand and more acceptable when read in English translation, so that it can begin to find acceptance in the Anglophone literary and cultural system.