Translation Strategies and Equivalences of Culture-Bound Elements in “A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes”

Translation is more than the transfer of the words between source language texts and target language texts; as a matter of fact, it is a bridge between cultures embedded in those texts. This is particularly true when translating popular science texts, where scientific precision in those science texts must coexist with the cultural resonance in their translated texts. Hawking’s (1988) A Brief History of Time has introduced complex scientific ideas to readers worldwide, making it an excellent case study for analyzing how cultural elements are handled in translation. This paper explores the specific translation of culture-bound elements from English to Chinese in 《时间简史 (Shíjiān Jiǎngshǐ)》, translated by Wu Zhongchao and Xu Mingxian. Using Newmark’s framework, this research examines how translators navigate linguistic and cultural nuances to make the text both faithful to the original and engaging for Chinese readers. The findings provide fresh perspectives on the role of culture in the translation of popular science texts, contributing valuable insights into the broader field of translation studies. This research highlights the interplay between language, culture, and science, advocating for meticulous translation strategies to maintain the integrity and intent of the original work.