On the Chinese Translation Techniques of Dialogues in The Old Man and the Sea from the Perspective of Social Semiotics

A case study of Huang Yuanshen's version

Abstract

The theory of social semiotic translation, which believes the opinion that translating language is translating meaning and that the meaning and function of speech are inseparable, provides a new perspective for translation studies. This paper examines on the dialogues in Huang Yuanshen’s translation of The Old Man and the Sea and explores how social semiotics can elucidate the translator’s choices. Based on the three core principles of social semiotics and combining them with the subject, form, and spirit of the original dialogues, this study analyzes translation techniques such as addition, division, shift, negation, combination, and conversion. This study demonstrates that social semiotic translation theory effectively guides the translation of dialogues in literary works, enabling a better conveyance of the author’s original meaning and style while enhancing the readability and cultural transmission of the Chinese version.