摘 要

《红楼梦》自问世以来就受到广泛赞誉，它是中国章回体小说史上的一个里程碑，是清代小说创造的高峰。因而有许多中外学者对其进行翻译,目前其已经被翻译成了20多种语言。其中又以杨宪益夫妇和大卫•霍克斯的译本最为著名，因为这两个版本是仅存的最为完整和易被广大读者接受的。本文将以彼得•纽马克的交际翻译和语义翻译为理论依据，通过典型的实例，对比分析杨宪益夫妇和霍克斯的两个翻译版本的技巧及特点，得出各自翻译所采用的翻译方法，以及这两个标题翻译版本存在的优缺点和差异。本文还将探索出现这些翻译差异的原因。从而对章回体小说标题的翻译探索新的翻译方法。

关键词：红楼梦；译本；交际翻译；语义翻译 ；对比
 
Abstract

Since the publication of The Story of the Stone, it has gained a lot of reputation and admiration. It marks the peak of Chinese classic novels, especially chapter novels. Therefore, many translators all over the world have tried their best to translate it, and it has been translated into more than 22 languages. Among them, Yang Xianyi’s and Hawkes’ translation are the most famous versions for their perfect completeness and acceptance. This paper will discuss their translating methods and skills on the basis of Peter Newmark’s theory of communicative translation and semantic translation. Differences and limitations in translating methods used in this translation also will be discussed. We will also analyze the respective reasons for these limitations and differences. We hope this paper can do something for further translation of chapter titles of Chinese classics.

Keywords: The Story of the Stone; translating versions; communicative translation; semantic translation; comparison and contrast

Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 The State of The Story of the Stone in China’s Literature
Since its publication, The Story of the Stone has gained numerable reputation. It is a milestone in the development of Chinese chapter classical novels. As the leader of the “four classics”, The Story of the Stone has been translated into more than 22 kinds of different languages, enjoying millions of readers around the world.
Why is it so attractive? The main reasons may lie in its numerable characters, profound philosophy, and typical Chinese classical culture. The author Cao Xueqin (the first 80 chapters) and Gao E (the last 40chapters) draw a comprehensive picture of the life of a noble family in Ming Dynasty. The tragic love story between the main characters Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu sheds many people’s tears. In fact, many characters, including the famous “twelve beauties of Nanjing”, are dramatic and tragic. These beauties’ tragic stories may reflect the fact that women own a lower social position and are easier to live a pity life in the feudal China. The complex plots also put light in the degenerate politics in the late Ming Dynasty which kill the dynasty at last. In addition, this celebrated novel also describes the varied and colorful classic cultures in China, including the delicate clothing and headgears, excellent classic poetry and calligraphy , and the wonderful embroidery skills. Of course, the perfect writing and wording does a good job.  All the above factors work together to make this book a forever classic in Chinese literature.