Cultural Topological Isomerism in Gu Zhengkun’s Translation of Shakespeare’s Sonnets

Abstract

Shakespeare’s sonnets hold a significant place in English and American literature, renowned for their rich cultural connotations and complex emotional expressions, making them a classic subject in translation studies. This paper examines Gu Zhengkun’s translation through the lens of cultural topological isomerism, analyzing his translation strategies and their effectiveness in the context of cultural differences between Chinese and English. By closely comparing the cultural symbol transformations in the original text and the translation, the paper explores Gu’s handling of topological isomerism ecological, social and religious cultures within Shakespeare’s poetry. The findings indicate that Gu Zhengkun often adopts strategies of moderate adjustment and cultural recreation, ensuring that the translation retains the spirit of the original while enhancing its acceptability within the Chinese cultural context. This study offers a new perspective on the cross-cultural translation of Shakespeare’s sonnets and provides valuable insights for future translation practice and theoretical research.