This study focuses on three major novels by Yu Hua, a prominent figure in contemporary Chinese literature: To Live, Chronicle of a Blood Merchant, and Wencheng. Through an analysis of the Korean translations of rhetorical devices such as onomatopoeia,...
This study focuses on three major novels by Yu Hua, a prominent figure in contemporary Chinese literature: To Live, Chronicle of a Blood Merchant, and Wencheng. Through an analysis of the Korean translations of rhetorical devices such as onomatopoeia, metaphor, and repetition found in these works, the research investigates how the stylistic features of the original texts are reflected and reproduced in the translations. Yu Hua’s novels, grounded in profound insight into social reality and human nature, seek emotional communication with readers through both sentimental and realistic language. Rhetorical expressions play a crucial role in shaping this distinctive style. However, such expressions are susceptible to distortion or weakening during interlingual translation due to cultural and structural differences. This study, therefore, arises from the necessity of meticulously analyzing the translation patterns of rhetorical devices. To this end, parallel corpora of the original texts and their translations wetr constructed, enabling both statistical and example-based descriptive analysis. The usage patterns of onomatopoeia, metaphor, and repetition in the source texts were first identified, after which the translation strategies were categorized into four types: direct correspondence, substitution, deletion, and reduction. A shared feature across the three works is the frequent use of AA-type onomatopoeia centered on emotional expression, particularly imitations of human voices. In terms of metaphor, similes using the connective ‘像’ predominated, with common or natural objects often serving as vehicles. Repetition typically appeared within sentences, functioning primarily to emphasize emotion in dialogue. These common traits reflect Yu Hua’s realist tendencies and his focus on the psychological portrayal of characters. On the other hand, notable differences among the three works were also observed. Wencheng displayed a significantly higher frequency and variety of onomatopoeia and metaphor compared to the other two novels, while repetition was less prevalent. This suggests a stylistic shift in Yu Hua’s later writing, marked by increased rhetorical diversity within a stable narrative structure. The analysis of the translations revealed that the correspondence strategy was the most frequently employed by all three translators. This approach, which aims to faithfully reproduce the expression and meaning of the original, was effective in maintaining a substantial level of the author’s intended emotions, imagery, and stylistic devices. Translators made necessary lexical and syntactic adjustments in consideration of the Korean readers’ linguistic norms and cultural expectations, demonstrating active translator agency. Substitution, deletion, and reduction strategies were also identified in certain cases. These choices were influenced by the translators’ interpretive stance, linguistic sensibilities,translational purposes, and publishing contexts, occasionally resulting in amplification or diminution of meaning. Such variations not only affect reader reception but can also recalibrate emotional tone or open new interpretive possibilities. The fact that rhetorical expressions can be variably transformed depending on the translator’s choices indicates that literary translation is a reconstructive act of creation rather than mere transmission. Therefore, in the event of retranslation or revised editions of Yu Hua’s works, a careful reassessment of the translation of rhetorical devices is necessary. It is essential to explore strategies that preserve stylistic coherence and ensure a consistent reader experience. This study combines a linguistic approach to the stylistic features of Yu Hua’s literary works with translation studies, empirically examining how the preservation and reproduction of rhetorical expressions impact reader reception. The findings are expected to contribute not only to future retranslations of Yu Hua’s novels but also to the broader theoretical and practical discourse on Chinese–Korean literary translation.
Keywords: Yu Hua, novel translation, onomatopoeia, metaphorical expression,repetition, corpus, style