Translations of Address Terms in Thunderstorm from the Perspective of Context Theory

Abstract

As a linguistic phenomenon, address terms play an important role in the daily communication between people. At the same time, it is also a cultural phenomenon, which is usually endowed with special cultural meaning in literary works and has distinct national characteristics. As Chinese culture gradually spreads out of the country and sails into the world, an increasing number of translators begin to pay attention to the English translation of Chinese address terms. However, due to the prominent differences between Chinese and English, the translation of Chinese address terms often brings challenges and obstacles to translators. There is a close relationship between address terms and context. Context plays an indispensable role in communication, while similarly limiting and regulating the translation of address terms. In the process of translation, the translator should fully understand the context of the source language, so as to better convey the information and express the emotions of the original work. At the same time, it is also important for translators to select the proper context of the target language to make the readers better accept the translated version. Thunderstorm is a shining pearl in Chinese literature, acting as a milestone which marks the maturity of Chinese modern drama. In this work, which depicts the tragedy of a feudal bourgeois family, the address terms used by characters in linguistic interactions are influenced by various factors such as class, identity, and purpose, resulting in a diverse range of terms with high research value. Since Cao Yu’s creation of Thunderstorm in 1934, there have been two translations by Yao Ke and Wang Zuoliang and Barnes. This paper selects the translated version of Thunderstorm published in 1958 by Wang Zuoliang and Barnes as the subject for the study of English translations of Chinese address terms, exploring the influence of context on translation, summarizing the translation strategies of address terms under the influence of context. The study finds that under the influence of context, the translation of address terms in Thunderstorm primarily employs two strategies: literal translation and free translation, with free translation further divided into amplification, omission, and conversion. It is hoped that the findings of this paper will provide new insights and perspectives for future translators when translating address terms in Chinese literary works.