Research on the Domestication and Foreignization Strategies in the Translation of the Idioms in Yang's Version of Dream of the Red Chamber

Abstract

Dream of the Red Chamber is a gem of Chinese classical literature, and its English translation plays a significant role in helping Western readers understand Chinese culture. This paper studies the domestication and foreignization strategies used in the translation of idioms in Yang Xianyi and Dai Naidie’s version of Dream of the Red Chamber. The study finds that for idioms with a clear equivalent expression in the target language, the translation tends to use the domestication strategy, rendering the idioms into those with similar meanings and expressions in the target language, allowing readers to quickly understand and resonate with them. However, for idioms with unique cultural backgrounds in the source language, the translation opts for the foreignization strategy, using literal translation to preserve the features of the source language, thus enabling readers to experience the cultural flavor of the original text. , in idiom translation, translators should flexibly choose the domestication or foreignization strategy based on whether an equivalent expression exists in the target language. For idioms with clear equivalents, domestication helps readers understand quickly; while for idioms with unique cultural backgrounds, foreignization retains the cultural features of the source language. This study not only helps readers understand the impact of different translation strategies on conveying the cultural connotations of the original text but also provides useful insights for future translation theory and practice.