On the Phonetic and Semantic Aspects of Names in Literary Translation - A Study of Translation Strategies of Names and Appellations in the Arabic Version of Teahouse

People’s names and appellations do not only serve a referential function but also encompass profound sociocultural connotations and reflect the characteristics of their times. Names, including nicknames and appellations, are an organic component of literary works, which, embedding the creativity of the author, serve the purpose of characterization as part of the overall artistic effect of the work. Therefore, when translating names and appellations in literary works, translator must acquire a deep understanding of the historical and cultural context and consider both the phonetic and ideographic functions, and adopt flexible and diversified translation strategies after carefully weighing the morphology and connotation to minimize any possible misunderstanding or weakening of artistic effect. With the Arabic version of Teahouse translated by Egyptian sinologist Abdel Aziz Hamdi as an example, this article provides an in-depth analysis of implicit cultural information in names and appellations, hence discussing the application and effects of translation strategies employed by the translator, while offering recommendations for improved translation of certain cases.