A Study on the Translation of ASEAN Culture-loaded Words from the Perspective of Pragmatic Translation

With the increasing frequency of exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, the accurate translation of ASEAN culture-loaded words has become critically important for effective cross-cultural communication. This study aims to identify scientific and systematic translation strategies for ASEAN culture-loaded words from the perspective of pragmatic translation. Through a comprehensive analysis of a diverse range of ASEAN cultural texts, this study selects multiple representative culture-loaded words for examination. Grounded in the theoretical framework of pragmatic translation and the characteristics of ASEAN culture-loaded words, this study proposes three primary translation strategies: transliteration with annotations, literal translation with explanations, and free translation with supplemented cultural background information. Employing a qualitative case-study approach, this study demonstrates that these strategies can effectively enhance the translation quality and readability of ASEAN culture-loaded words while preserving cultural uniqueness and ensuring effective pragmatic function in communication. These findings provide both theoretical insights for translation studies and practical solutions for fostering mutual understanding in China-ASEAN exchanges.