Translation of Cultural Elements in Big Breasts and Wide Hips: A Postcolonial Perspective

Abstract

Translation is a crucial vehicle for Chinese literature to go global, and Goldblatt’s translation of Big Breasts and Wide Hips is a successful example of Chinese literature translation. Based on the post-colonial translation theory, this study focuses on the English translation of Big Breasts and Wide Hips by Goldblatt to explore whether it achieves cultural equality and accurate exchange in translating Chinese cultural elements. The research reveals that while the translator endeavors to preserve the original’s cultural essence and present an objective China, the influence of dominant cultures cannot be fully eschewed. To facilitate acceptance and readability, some uniquely Chinese elements are occasionally omitted or rewritten, slightly diminishing the text’s cultural depth. This study will not only enrich the application of postcolonial translation theory in the translation of specific literary works but also provide a useful reference for the translation practice of Chinese literature under the strategy of going global.