Conveying cultural content in literary translation
A comparative analysis of translation strategies in Yu Hua’s works for a Portuguese-speaking audience
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 17831933 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Yu Chul Yang (corresponding author), Xiaoyue Wang (0009-0006-8146-5118, Zhejiang International Studies University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-30 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2662-9992 • E-ISSN: 2662-9992 |
| Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1057/s41599-026-07073-7 |
| OpenAlex | W7143417949 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
This study examines the challenges associated with conveying cultural content in literary translation, using the works of contemporary Chinese author Yu Hua as a case study. The objective is to analyze strategies for balancing the preservation of the source text’s cultural specificity with its adaptation to the cultural context of the target audience. To this end, three translation strategies were employed: literal translation, adapted translation, and annotated translation. These variants were presented to Portuguese-speaking readers, whose responses were assessed using the TAUS Dynamic Quality Framework (DQF). Both quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed significant differences in the effectiveness of the strategies. Literal translation received the lowest scores (2.8), particularly in terms of fluency and localization. Adapted translation (3.5) and annotated translation (3.6) yielded higher evaluations, with the latter proving most effective in conveying cultural elements, albeit occasionally at the expense of textual fluency. Adaptation ensured the highest levels of emotional resonance and comprehensibility, while the use of functional equivalents contributed to stylistic coherence. The findings underscore the importance of a strategic approach to translating culturally rich texts. The study offers practical recommendations for translators aiming to enhance translation quality and audience reception among Portuguese-speaking readers
Cultural diversity · Fluency · Literal translation · Source text · Target culture · Advanced Technology in Applications · Subtitles and Audiovisual Media · Translation Studies and Practices
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |