2.3 General Comparison of the Two Versions of Hongloumeng

To compare the two versions of A Dream of the Red Mansions, it is essential to analysis the cultural identities of the translators as translation in its essence is a cross-culture activity in which translators will from time to time face “culture shock” carried by widely different value systems, ethics and even lifestyles, driving them to the questions on their own identities. Therefore, the exploration of cultural identities of translators will facilitate our analysis into their distinctive text selection, intentions, intentionality and techniques of translation as they are largely influenced by their identities.

2.3.1 Cultural Identities of Translators

In most cases, translators will take fully consideration of the national sentiment and cultural standpoint of the original author under the premise that the conflicts between two cultures are not irreconcilable. It is the original work’s narrative style, writing skills that readers most concern themselves with. 

On the other hand, however well a translator know about the source language and its culture, he will inevitably be influenced by his own culture, hence necessitating the analysis of the two translators. 

David Hawkes, regarded as “the foremost non-Chinese Redology expert” (Gittings, 2009), was a British sinologist and translator who had studied at Peking University from 1948 to 1951. He published the translated first 80 chapters of the original novel in three volumes (1973, 1977, 1980) under the novel's original title Story of the Stone. The translation of the remaining 40 chapters, which were reportedly written by Gao E, were finished by his son-in-law, John Minford, also a sinologist.