Keywords
Culture-loaded words
ZIZHITONGJIAN
Translation strategy
3D transformation model
Submitted : 2025-08-27
Accepted : 2025-09-11
Published : 2025-09-26
Abstract
ZIZHITONGJIAN is a key historical work that reflects not only political events but also many culture-loaded expressions rooted in traditional Chinese life. These expressions, including official titles, ritual words, and historical references, carry strong cultural meaning that is hard to translate. And these words are often described as culture-loaded words. Previous research on ZIZHITONGJIAN has offered valuable insights into its translation, focusing on general strategies, historical context, or selected passages. However, these discussions often remain broad in scope, lacking systematic comparison across different types of English editions. This study uses Hu Gengshen’s eco-translatology theory to explore how these culture-loaded words are handled in three kinds of English editions by listing out some classical examples. By applying eco-translatology, this study identifies common translation issues across different English editions and offers a methodological reference for future research on classical Chinese texts, especially in handling culture-loaded words with greater cultural and communicative sensitivity.
References
Bao H, Bao A, 2004, Chinese Culture and Chinese-English Translation. Foreign Languages Press, Beijing.
Liao Q, 2000, Exploring Contemporary Western Translation Theories. Yilin Press, Nanjing.
Guan X, Qi D, 2021, Research on the Translation of Official Titles of Zizhi Tongjian with Computer Aid. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1992(2): 022004.
Hu G, Hu G, 2020, Eco-Translatology: Research Foci and Theoretical Tenets. Eco-Translatology: Towards an Eco-Paradigm of Translation Studies, 47–85.
Pian Y, Chen W, 2022, English Translation of Culture-Loaded Words—A Corpus Based Study. Journal of Literature and Art Studies, 12(6): 667–673.
Hu G, 2008, Eco-Translatology: A Primer. Chinese Translators Journal, 29(6): 11–15.
Song Z, Hu G, 2016, Interpreting Some Key Issues in Translation Studies in Terms of Eco-Translatology. Foreign Language Education, 37(1): 107–110.
Hu G, 2006, Exemplifying the Translation Principle and Methods of the “Approach to Translation as Adaptation and Selection”. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, 2006(3): 49–52.
Velikova I, 2003, Munday, Jeremy. Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications. Cadernos de Tradução, 2(12): 145–147.
Nida E, 1964, Toward a Science of Translating: With Special Reference to Principles and Procedures Involved in Bible Translating. Brill Archive, Leiden.
Bassnett S, 2002, Translation Studies. Routledge, London and New York.