Navigating Linguistic Landscapes: Translating Wei Zhou's 'The Hidden Mother Tongue' for Cross-Cultural Understanding
Abstract
This submission presents an English translation of "The Hidden Mother Tongue" (隐蔽的母语), a personal essay by contemporary Chinese writer Wei Zhou, along with a comprehensive commentary on the translation process. Wei's essay explores the complex interplay between linguistic identity, cultural assimilation, and regional discrimination in modern China, focusing on the experiences of Chongming Island natives living in Shanghai. The translation aims to capture the nuanced tone of the original text, balancing personal reflection with broader sociological observations.
The accompanying commentary examines the challenges encountered during the translation process and the strategies employed to address them. Key areas of focus include:
- Representing dialect and accent differences in English without resorting to potentially problematic dialect representations
- Conveying culture-specific concepts and references for an English-speaking audience
- Preserving the author's distinctive voice and style
- Managing idiomatic expressions and wordplay unique to the source language (Chinese)
The commentary also reflects on the broader implications of translating contemporary Chinese literature for a global audience, highlighting the translator's role as a cultural mediator. This submission contributes to the field of literary translation studies by offering insights into the practical and theoretical considerations involved in bridging linguistic and cultural gaps between Chinese and English.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part of this publication may be
reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owner. Neither may information be stored electronically without such permission. For permission, contact the editor.
