A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays

Liu Huidan; Xia Ting

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14

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A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays

Liu Huidan, Xia Ting

Published in International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation (Volume 9, Issue 1)

Received: 27 March 2023 Accepted: 11 April 2023 Published: 15 April 2023

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Abstract

Metaphor is a fundamental cognitive concept and this study utilizes a corpus-based approach to explore the vibrant color metaphors used in Shakespeare’s plays, as well as the Chinese translations of these metaphors by Liang Shiqiu, Zhu Shenghao, and Fang Ping. The primary focus of this analysis is on the translation methods and strategies employed by these three translators, with an emphasis on how they transfer the form, content (i.e., function), and meaning of the color metaphors into Chinese. Both rhetoric and conceptual metaphors are examined to provide insight into the translation practice of these three individuals. It found that there exists a significant similarity among the three translators in literally translating a majority of the color metaphors in Shakespeare’s plays; however, distinct differences emerge in their adoption of de-metaphorization while translating nonconforming color metaphors. Three major factors are discussed to account for the similarities and differences in translating color metaphors: (1) the shared cultural experiential sources for the color metaphors in English and Chinese cultures; (2) the universality of metaphorical thinking among people from different cultural backgrounds; (3) the skopos (purpose) of the three translators in translating Shakespeare’s plays during various historical periods. This study has significant implications for global corpus-based drama studies and metaphor studies, as well as corpus translation studies.

Published in	International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation (Volume 9, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14
Page(s)	24-36
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Color Metaphor, Corpus, Chinese Translation, Shakespeare’s Plays, Liang Shiqiu, Zhu Shenghao, Fang Ping

References

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[2]	Lakoff, G. & Johnson. M. (1980/2003). Metaphors We Live By [M]. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 11.
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[4]	Newmark, P. (1981/2001). Approaches to Translation [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 113.
[5]	Schäffner, C. (2004). Metaphor and Translation: Some Implications of a Cognitive Approach [J]. Journal of Pragmatics. (36): 1235-1269.
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[9]	Daoming Chen. (2002). Metaphor and Translation - Implications of Cognitive Linguistics for Translation Theory Studies [J]. Foreign Language and Foreign Language Teaching. (9): 40-43.
[10]	Steen, G. (2013). Deliberate Metaphor Affords Conscious Metaphorical Bognition [J]. Journal of Cognitive Semiotics. 5 (1-2): 179-197.
[11]	Wu Di & Yuchen Li. (2022). Deliberate Metaphor Theory and Its Application to Discourse Analysis [J]. Foreign Languages Research. 39 (2): 38-45.
[12]	Kövecses, Z. (2017). Levels of Metaphor [J]. Cognitive Linguistics. 28 (2): 321-347.
[13]	Qian Zhang. (2021). A Study of Conceptual Metaphors on "Epidemic Prevention and Control Is A War" [J]. Media Observer. (6): 63-70.
[14]	Xuechang Hou, Ya Sun & Yuhang, Liang. (2022). A Review of Experimental Methods of Metaphor Studies Abroad in the Last Five Years [J]. Foreign Language Research. 228 (5): 15-21.
[15]	Sherman, G. D. & Clore, G. L. (2009). The Color of Sin: White and Black Are Perceptual Symbols of Moral Purity and Pollution. Psychological Science. 20 (8): 1019-1025.
[16]	Song, H., Vonasch, A. J., Meier, B. P., & Bargh, J. A. (2012). Brighten up: Smiles Facilitate Perceptual Judgment of Facial Lightness. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 48 (1), 450-452.
[17]	Huilan Yang, Xianyou He, Xueru Zhao & Wei Zhang. (2015). Multiple Metaphorical Representations of Power: Evidence from Size and Color [J]. Acta Psychologica Sinica. 47 (7): 939-949.
[18]	Crag, W. J. (ed.). (1892). Complete Works of William Shakespeare [C]. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
[19]	Shakespeare, W. Shenghao Zhu (trans.). (1978/1994). The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [M]. Beijing: People’s Literature Publishing House.
[20]	Shakespeare, W. Shiqiu Liang (trans.). (2001). The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [M]. Beijing/Taiwan: China Radio and TV Press and Far-East Book Company.
[21]	Huidan Liu. (2015). Representation and Reconstruction of Affect Meaning in Chinese Translations of Shakespeare’s Plays -A Corpus-based Study [D]. Shanghai Jiaotong University.
[22]	Shakespeare, W. Ping Fang (trans.). (2000). The New Complete Works of William Shakespeare [M]. Shijiazhuang: Hebei Education Publisher.
[23]	Richards, I. A. (1936). The Philosophy of Rhetoric [M]. New York: Oxford University Press.

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Liu Huidan, Xia Ting. (2023). A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, 9(1), 24-36. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14

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Liu Huidan; Xia Ting. A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays. Int. J. Appl. Linguist. Transl. 2023, 9(1), 24-36. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14

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AMA Style

Liu Huidan, Xia Ting. A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays. Int J Appl Linguist Transl. 2023;9(1):24-36. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14,
  author = {Liu Huidan and Xia Ting},
  title = {A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {24-36},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijalt.20230901.14},
  abstract = {Metaphor is a fundamental cognitive concept and this study utilizes a corpus-based approach to explore the vibrant color metaphors used in Shakespeare’s plays, as well as the Chinese translations of these metaphors by Liang Shiqiu, Zhu Shenghao, and Fang Ping. The primary focus of this analysis is on the translation methods and strategies employed by these three translators, with an emphasis on how they transfer the form, content (i.e., function), and meaning of the color metaphors into Chinese. Both rhetoric and conceptual metaphors are examined to provide insight into the translation practice of these three individuals. It found that there exists a significant similarity among the three translators in literally translating a majority of the color metaphors in Shakespeare’s plays; however, distinct differences emerge in their adoption of de-metaphorization while translating nonconforming color metaphors. Three major factors are discussed to account for the similarities and differences in translating color metaphors: (1) the shared cultural experiential sources for the color metaphors in English and Chinese cultures; (2) the universality of metaphorical thinking among people from different cultural backgrounds; (3) the skopos (purpose) of the three translators in translating Shakespeare’s plays during various historical periods. This study has significant implications for global corpus-based drama studies and metaphor studies, as well as corpus translation studies.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays
AU  - Liu Huidan
AU  - Xia Ting
Y1  - 2023/04/15
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14
T2  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JF  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JO  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
SP  - 24
EP  - 36
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1271
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14
AB  - Metaphor is a fundamental cognitive concept and this study utilizes a corpus-based approach to explore the vibrant color metaphors used in Shakespeare’s plays, as well as the Chinese translations of these metaphors by Liang Shiqiu, Zhu Shenghao, and Fang Ping. The primary focus of this analysis is on the translation methods and strategies employed by these three translators, with an emphasis on how they transfer the form, content (i.e., function), and meaning of the color metaphors into Chinese. Both rhetoric and conceptual metaphors are examined to provide insight into the translation practice of these three individuals. It found that there exists a significant similarity among the three translators in literally translating a majority of the color metaphors in Shakespeare’s plays; however, distinct differences emerge in their adoption of de-metaphorization while translating nonconforming color metaphors. Three major factors are discussed to account for the similarities and differences in translating color metaphors: (1) the shared cultural experiential sources for the color metaphors in English and Chinese cultures; (2) the universality of metaphorical thinking among people from different cultural backgrounds; (3) the skopos (purpose) of the three translators in translating Shakespeare’s plays during various historical periods. This study has significant implications for global corpus-based drama studies and metaphor studies, as well as corpus translation studies.
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Liu Huidan

College of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
Xia Ting

College of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China

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APA Style

Liu Huidan, Xia Ting. (2023). A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, 9(1), 24-36. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14

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ACS Style

Liu Huidan; Xia Ting. A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays. Int. J. Appl. Linguist. Transl. 2023, 9(1), 24-36. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14

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AMA Style

Liu Huidan, Xia Ting. A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays. Int J Appl Linguist Transl. 2023;9(1):24-36. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14,
  author = {Liu Huidan and Xia Ting},
  title = {A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {24-36},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijalt.20230901.14},
  abstract = {Metaphor is a fundamental cognitive concept and this study utilizes a corpus-based approach to explore the vibrant color metaphors used in Shakespeare’s plays, as well as the Chinese translations of these metaphors by Liang Shiqiu, Zhu Shenghao, and Fang Ping. The primary focus of this analysis is on the translation methods and strategies employed by these three translators, with an emphasis on how they transfer the form, content (i.e., function), and meaning of the color metaphors into Chinese. Both rhetoric and conceptual metaphors are examined to provide insight into the translation practice of these three individuals. It found that there exists a significant similarity among the three translators in literally translating a majority of the color metaphors in Shakespeare’s plays; however, distinct differences emerge in their adoption of de-metaphorization while translating nonconforming color metaphors. Three major factors are discussed to account for the similarities and differences in translating color metaphors: (1) the shared cultural experiential sources for the color metaphors in English and Chinese cultures; (2) the universality of metaphorical thinking among people from different cultural backgrounds; (3) the skopos (purpose) of the three translators in translating Shakespeare’s plays during various historical periods. This study has significant implications for global corpus-based drama studies and metaphor studies, as well as corpus translation studies.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Corpus-Based Study of the Chinese Translation of Color Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Plays
AU  - Liu Huidan
AU  - Xia Ting
Y1  - 2023/04/15
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14
T2  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JF  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JO  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
SP  - 24
EP  - 36
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1271
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20230901.14
AB  - Metaphor is a fundamental cognitive concept and this study utilizes a corpus-based approach to explore the vibrant color metaphors used in Shakespeare’s plays, as well as the Chinese translations of these metaphors by Liang Shiqiu, Zhu Shenghao, and Fang Ping. The primary focus of this analysis is on the translation methods and strategies employed by these three translators, with an emphasis on how they transfer the form, content (i.e., function), and meaning of the color metaphors into Chinese. Both rhetoric and conceptual metaphors are examined to provide insight into the translation practice of these three individuals. It found that there exists a significant similarity among the three translators in literally translating a majority of the color metaphors in Shakespeare’s plays; however, distinct differences emerge in their adoption of de-metaphorization while translating nonconforming color metaphors. Three major factors are discussed to account for the similarities and differences in translating color metaphors: (1) the shared cultural experiential sources for the color metaphors in English and Chinese cultures; (2) the universality of metaphorical thinking among people from different cultural backgrounds; (3) the skopos (purpose) of the three translators in translating Shakespeare’s plays during various historical periods. This study has significant implications for global corpus-based drama studies and metaphor studies, as well as corpus translation studies.
VL  - 9
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download