A Study of Linguistic Gender Differences in English-Chinese Translation—A Case Study of The Chinese Version of The Little Prince by Lin Zhenni and Li Jihong

Abstract

Gender difference in language expression is a linguistic phenomenon in which males and females differ in the use of language, also a perspective for research on translator’s subjectivity. The study of gender differences in language is beneficial to translation theory and translation practice. Based on gender differences in language, this paper takes the Chinese translation of The Little Prince as an example to make a comparative study. Since its publication, The Little Prince has been widely admired by readers. Up to now, there are more than 200 translations in the world, with numerous Chinese translations, which are operable and representative. This paper focuses on the Chinese translations by Lin Zhenni and Li Jihong, and makes a comparative analysis of the language differences between translations, and finds that the gender differences between male and female translators in English-Chinese translation are reflected in three aspects: The language expression of female translators is concise and specific, the language expression of female translators is delicate, and strong subjectivity of the translator in translation. Finally, it is pointed out that gender difference in language expression is affected by social development and psychological factors.