Translating Symbolism: Cultural Filtering in The Last Lover
Hua Wang
Centre for Literary and Intermedial Crossings, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Abstract
Symbolism is a cornerstone for exploring philosophical and existential themes in avant-garde fiction. This study examines how the symbolic elements in Can Xue's novel The Last Lover are translated and assesses how these translated symbols change the novel's themes for English-speaking readers. Known for its surreal and fragmented narrative style, The Last Lover employs symbolism to convey existentialist themes, cultural ideologies and philosophical explorations. Focusing on key symbols such as houses, animals and dreams, this study explores the significance of these symbols in the original and translated texts during the translation process, analysing how language choice, cultural interpretation and translator strategies affect the symbolic depth and resonance of the text. The study found that while some universal symbols ostensibly retained thematic coherence in the translated text, the deeper layers of symbolism inherent in the original language were lost during translation. This loss of symbolism undoubtedly affects readers’ interpretations of the avant-garde text's deeper themes. This highlights the challenges faced by translators in translating culture-specific or abstract symbols in avant-garde fictions. This analysis contributes to a better understanding of the complexities of translating symbolism, emphasising the delicate balance between cultural fidelity and cultural diversity.
Keywords: Symbolism, Avant-Garde Literature, The Last Lover, Can Xue, Cross-Cultural
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