A Comparative Study on Three Chinese-English Translations of Culture-Loaded Words in Shui Hu Zhuan

Shui Hu Zhuan is one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature, and the cornucopia of culture-loaded words contained in it has now become the focus of translation research. This study delves into the translation of culture-loaded words in Shui Hu Zhuan by meticulously examining three renowned English translations by Sidney Shapiro, Pearl S. Buck, and Dent Young. Adopting a qualitative research approach with descriptive interpretation, the study conducts a descriptive comparative analysis of the translations from four dimensions: official-title words, religious-related words, historical-culture words, and nicknames. From the perspective of functional equivalence, it is found that Buck's version frequently employs literal translation. Dent-Young’s version is characterized by strong readability and flexibility that transcends rigid translation strategies. Shapiro, on the other hand, skillfully combines liberal translation with literal translation, demonstrating a nuanced approach that captures the essence of the original text.