This study examines the challenges associated with conveying cultural content in literary translation, using the works of contemporary Chinese author Yu Hua as a case study. The objective is to analyze strategies for balancing the preservation of the source text’s cultural specificity with its adaptation to the cultural context of the target audience. To this end, three translation strategies were employed: literal translation, adapted translation, and annotated translation. These variants were presented to Portuguese-speaking readers, whose responses were assessed using the TAUS Dynamic Quality Framework (DQF). Both quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed significant differences in the effectiveness of the strategies. Literal translation received the lowest scores (2.8), particularly in terms of fluency and localization. Adapted translation (3.5) and annotated translation (3.6) yielded higher evaluations, with the latter proving most effective in conveying cultural elements, albeit occasionally at the expense of textual fluency. Adaptation ensured the highest levels of emotional resonance and comprehensibility, while the use of functional equivalents contributed to stylistic coherence. The findings underscore the importance of a strategic approach to translating culturally rich texts. The study offers practical recommendations for translators aiming to enhance translation quality and audience reception among Portuguese-speaking readers.
Yang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.