A Translation Deviation Analysis of the English Version Snow in Midsummer — from the Systemic Functional Approach

Abstract

This paper attempts to study the English translation quality of Yuan Zaju from the perspective of ideational function, discourse function and interpersonal function, taking the translation Snow in Midsummer by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang as a case study. Yang's English translation fits the original background, the language is exquisite, the text is fluent, but there are still some inappropriate points. First of all, in terms of dictions, there are some omission and misinterpretation of the cultural allusions, or the atmosphere of cultural simplification, which not only reduces the literariness of the translation, but also leads to the ambiguity of conceptual differentiation. Secondly, in terms of syntax, some of the sentences in the translation fail to serve as a connecting link and highlight the cultural background. In general, there are some conceptual, textual and interpersonal errors in the English translation, which reduce the conformity between the quality of the translation and the original text.