This study conducts a comparative analysis of Lin Yutang’s and Graham Sanders’s English translations of Six Chapters of a Floating Life through the lens of Segmented Discourse Representation Theory (SDRT). By examining rhetorical relations such as Result, Elaboration, Background, and Parallel, the paper analyzes how each translator constructs coherence, negotiates cultural nuances, and adapts narrative strategies. Lin’s version reveals a more implicit, aesthetic approach rooted in Confucian values, while Sanders’s translation favors directness and emotional transparency aligned with Western rhetorical norms. Also the study expresses the impact of Skopos theory on translation decisions. It shows how differences in translation purpose decide rhetorical choices. Through detailed analysis of representative passages and relational structure, this research offers insights into how discourse coherence is restructured in cross-cultural translation. Ultimately, this paper demonstrates the usefulness of SDRT as a tool for translation analysis and promotes a more systematic understanding of how translators mediate between language, culture, and communicative intent.
Jianfeng Feng (Tue,) studied this question.