A Study on the Metaphor Translation Strategies in Selected Modern Chinese Essays 1 by Zhang Peiji from the Perspective of Conceptual Blending Theory

Abstract

According to the analytical framework of the three basic network models in Conceptual Blending Theory, this thesis dynamically presents the metaphor translation process and the choice of translation strategies in Selected Modern Chinese Essays 1 translated by Zhang Peiji. The study finds out that in Mirror Network Model, Zhang usually adopts literal translation while preserving the metaphorical image since the original metaphor shares the same organizational framework in both source culture and target culture; when it comes to One-scope Network Model, a majority of metaphorical images are omitted to achieve better readability while still some others are preserved to spread Chinese culture and introduce more cognitive models to target readers. And in both ways, paraphrases are added to deepen target readers’ understanding of the source text; with regard to Two-scope Network Model, Zhang mainly adopts the translation strategy of replacement with metaphors that accord with the target language, which enables him to build a bridge between the cultures of the source language and the target language.