The Convey of “Li” in Translation of Chinese Literature from the Perspective of Face Theory —Take Hong Lou Meng and Its English Version A Dream of Red Mansions as an Example

Abstract

This paper selects Hong Lou Meng and its English version A Dream of Red Mansions as the source material and qualitatively analyzes how Yang Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang conveyed “Li” of the original work in their translation. It was found that, “Li” could be mirrored by the differences between the superior and the inferior. In Yang’s translation, the translators applied “positive face” and “negative face” to partly convey the original “Li”, especially in modest and honorific titles as well as in some discourses. The translators conveyed the original work faithfully, expressively and elegantly. Their translation of “Li” is of reference value.