Cognitive-Linguocultural Problems of Translation of Chinese Xiehouyu (歇后语)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify and analyze the features of translating 歇后语 (xiēhòuyǔ) into English, taking into account the structural, semantic, and pragmatic characteristics. The study examined the main categories of Chinese phraseological units, detailed the structure and functions of xiēhòuyǔ, and identified the main issues arising during the translation. The research methodology included the comparative method, which made it possible to identify differences in the structural organization and semantic interpretation of xiēhòuyǔ when translated into English. The method of contextual analysis was used to study how these expressions functioned in different discursive conditions. The contrastive analysis technique was applied to determine translation strategies and the impact on preserving the original meaning and cultural context. The results of the study showed that the translation of xiēhòuyǔ presented considerable difficulty due to the specific structure, semantic layering, and close connection with Chinese culture. The main linguistic and cultural barriers were the absence of equivalent concepts in the target language, phonetic wordplay, and cultural differences. It was established that the most common methods for rendering xiēhòuyǔ were literal translation, adaptation, explanatory translation, and retaining the original with clarification. The analysis of translation strategies demonstrated that the choice of translation method determined the degree of loss or preservation of the original meaning. The optimal approach was the combination of various strategies, allowing for consideration of both the semantic and cultural components of xiēhòuyǔ in translation.