Abstract：Culture-loaded words are the words with distinct cultural characteristics formed by a country or nation in the long-term historical development process. Their peculiarity brings considerable difficulties to translators’ work. Nevertheless, these culture-loaded words play an important role in cultural transmission. It will be beneficial to intercultural communication if correct and reasonable translation methods are used.

Therefore, from the perspective of Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory, this paper explores the translation strategies and methods of culture-loaded words based on Three Kingdoms translated by Moss Roberts. By analyzing the typical examples of the text, this paper draws the conclusion that from the Functional Equivalence Theory, such strategies and methods as literal translation, free translation, transliteration, annotation and amplification can be employed in translating culture-loaded words. In the actual translation process, these strategies and methods supplement each other, so that the target readers can understand and appreciate the text as well as the original readers, so as to achieve functional equivalence.

Key words: culture-loaded words  functional equivalence  Three Kingdoms  translation strategies and methods

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Background and Significance of the Study-1

1.2 Structure of the Thesis-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Eugene Nida’s Theory of Functional Equivalence-3

2.2 Previous Studies on the Translation of Culture-loaded Words-3

2.3 Guidance of Functional Equivalence Theory to the Translation of Culture-loaded Words-4

Chapter Three Analysis on the Translation of Culture-loaded Words in Three Kingdoms from Functional Equivalance Theory-6

3.1 Introduction to Three Kingdoms-6

3.2 Culture-loaded Words and Culture-loaded Words in Three Kingdoms-6

3.3 Strategies and Methods Employed in the Translation of Culture-loaded Words-7

3.3.1 Literal Translation-7

3.3.2 Free Translation-9

3.3.3 Transliteration-9

3.3.4 Annotation-10

3.3.5 Amplification-11

Chapter Four Conclusion-13

4.1 Findings-13

4.2 Limitations and Suggestions-13

References-15