Translation Strategies of the Word “Xing Qing” in <i>A Dream of Red Mansions</i> —A Comparative Study of Two English Translations by Yang Hsien-yi and Hawkes

This paper analyzes the translation of “Xing Qing” in two seminal English versions of A Dream of Red Mansions by Yang Hsien-yi, Gladys Yang, and David Hawkes. It examines the translation strategies employed across different contexts using corpus analysis. The term “Xing Qing” is translated in three principal ways: literal translation, which faithfully replicates the characters’ personality traits; free translation, which adapts to specific situations and emotional contexts; and a version aligning with English linguistic norms. Yang’s translation tends toward literal fidelity, emphasizing the preservation of cultural nuances. In contrast, Hawkes’ approach is more flexible, favoring free translation and prioritizing reader engagement. The study argues that translators should select contextually appropriate strategies that convey the characters’ traits and emotions accurately and ensure both the translation’s fluidity and the retention of cultural information. This analysis underscores the importance of strategic choice in bal-ancing fidelity to the source text with the accessibility of the translation.