Unga Waru Dian Sari, Alifia Maulidya Putri, A. ST. Aldilah Khaerana

Analysis of Translation Strategy of Mandarin Idioms (Chéngyǔ) in The Novel Little Mushroom《小蘑菇》by Yīshísì Zhōu

Introduction

Analysis of translation strategy of mandarin idioms (chéngyǔ) in the novel little mushroom《小蘑菇》by yīshísì zhōu. Explores Mandarin idiom (chéngyǔ) translation strategies in the novel "Little Mushroom." This study, based on Baker's theory, reveals paraphrase as the most common strategy, emphasizing chéngyǔ's deep cultural significance.

Abstract

This study aims to describe the idiom translation strategies used by translators in translating the Mandarin Idiom 成语 chéngyǔ contained in the novel Little Mushroom《小蘑菇》Xiǎo Mógū by 一十四洲 Yīshísì Zhōu. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach. Data were collected using literature study techniques, and analyzed based on the theory of idiom translation strategies by Baker (2018). The results of the study showed that out of 164 Mandarin idioms 成语 chéngyǔ, the idiom translation strategy most used by translators was the paraphrase idiom translation strategy with a percentage of use reaching 62.25% and the least was the idiom translation strategy using the target language idiom that has a similar meaning and form with the number of data only 3 data (1.8%). The Mandarin idiom 成语 chéngyǔ has become an inseparable part of Chinese culture, because the Mandarin idiom 成语 chéngyǔ itself is a written cultural heritage, where the Mandarin idiom 成语 chéngyǔ has its own origins which come from famous stories in the past, mythology, and even the analects.

Review

This study embarks on a pertinent analysis of Mandarin idiom (chéngyǔ) translation strategies employed in Yīshísì Zhōu's novel, *Little Mushroom*. The chosen focus on *chéngyǔ* is highly relevant given their deeply embedded cultural significance and unique narrative origins, as rightly highlighted by the authors. The paper's aim to systematically describe these strategies using Baker's (2018) established theoretical framework is commendable, providing a clear methodological anchor. The qualitative descriptive approach, supported by a significant corpus of 164 idioms, offers a solid foundation for its empirical findings, which are presented with clear quantitative data on strategy usage. While the study effectively identifies and quantifies the translation strategies, particularly noting the overwhelming prevalence of the paraphrase strategy (62.25%), further analytical depth would enhance its scholarly contribution. The abstract mentions the rich cultural heritage and origins of *chéngyǔ* from mythology, historical stories, and analects. It would be valuable for the full paper to more explicitly connect these cultural specificities with the *reasons* behind the strategic choices made by the translator. For instance, is paraphrase often chosen to preserve meaning while sacrificing form or cultural allusion, and what are the specific challenges of finding target language equivalents that account for both meaning and the source text's deep cultural resonance? Similarly, the extremely low incidence of strategies employing target language idioms with similar meaning and form (1.8%) warrants a more detailed discussion of the specific linguistic and cultural barriers encountered, rather than simply stating the percentage. Overall, this paper offers a valuable descriptive account of *chéngyǔ* translation practices in a contemporary Chinese novel. The findings, particularly the dominance of paraphrase, shed light on the common approaches translators adopt when navigating culturally dense linguistic units, suggesting a priority on conveying meaning clearly. This study contributes significantly to the understanding of translation challenges specific to Mandarin idioms and provides a useful baseline for future research. To build upon this foundation, future iterations or related studies could delve into the *impact* of these strategies on the target audience's reception, or conduct a comparative analysis across different genres or translators to offer a broader perspective on the evolving landscape of *chéngyǔ* translation.

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