Translation Model and Dissemination of Contemporary Chinese Ethnic Literal Works Into the World: An Analysis on English Translation of The Last Quarter of the Moon by American Translator Bruce Humes

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the English translation model and strategy of contemporary Chinese literary masterpiece The Last Quarter of the Moon (2005), taking Nord’s translation-oriented text analysis as a theoretical tool. The paper is composed of the translation commission, the role of ST analysis and hierarchy of translation problems, including the basic information about the writer, the original book, the English translation and the translator. Comparison of the ST with its English TT in terms of aspects of language, culture and communication will be discussed. Specifically, this paper explores the translation strategies that the translator has adopted at the linguistic level in translating Evenki proper nouns and idiomatic expressions, the dialogue of main characters, figures of speech, then explores the translation strategies of rendering Evenki folk customs, sacrifices, totemism and ceremonies from the aspect of ethnic culture. The study shows much importance is attached to the linguistic features and cultural connotations of the original work both at the linguistic and cultural level. The translation accurately and faithfully conveys the essence of the novel, successfully attracts the attention of western readers and promotes the spread of Evenki culture. The translation also makes a comprehensive analysis of the surface and deep meanings of the original text, effectively conveys the theme of the original work, and further promotes the “going out” of ethnic literature to the world.