Yunping Zhao, Chenjie Zhang*
School of Foreign Languages, Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan, China.
*Corresponding author: Chenjie Zhang
Abstract
Yun, the central figure in Shen Fu’s Six Chapters of a Floating Life, an autobiographical work from the Qing dynasty, was lauded by Lin Yutang as “one of the loveliest women in Chinese literature.” This paper examines the transcultural representation of Yun’s character in English translations, focusing on the most representative translation by Lin Yutang. Through analysis of “wedded bliss,” “aesthetic delight,” and “sorrow,” this paper investigates how Lin’s translation constructs Yun’s image across cultures, while also exploring his translation strategies in character portrayal, handling of culture-bound terms, and emotional expression. The findings demonstrate that Lin’s translation achieves remarkable cultural representation by blending domestication and foreignization, revitalizing Yun for a Western audience. This approach maintains Yun’s unique characteristics while ensuring accessibility, enabling her literary image to transcend temporal and spatial constraints. Through this cultural transposition, Yun has been elevated from a historical figure to an immortal archetype, testifying to the enduring power of literary translation.
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How to cite this paper
Transcultural Representation of Yun in English Translations of Six Chapters of a Floating Life
How to cite this paper: Yunping Zhao, Chenjie Zhang. (2025) Transcultural Representation of Yun in English Translations of Six Chapters of a Floating Life. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 9(7), 1308-1313.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2025.07.011