ON YANG’S TRANSLATION OF THE CHINESE IDIOMS FROMA DAEAM OF RED MANSIONSThis thesis addresses the topic of Yang Hsian-yi’s translation of theChinese idioms from A Dream of Red Mansions, which is regarded as oneof the best Chinese classics. lt discusses the specific difficulties intranslating various types of Chinese idioms form classical works intoEnglish, and examines the techniques and princip1es applied by thefamous translator.In the thesis Chinese idioms are classitied into eight different kinds and ADream of Red Mansions includes all of them, which brings a greatchallenge to the translator. Through the detailed discussion and analysison Yang’s creative and comprehensive translation of these idioms,solutions of solving the translation problems of various kinds of Chineseidioms in classics are studied. In addition, by comparing with DavidHawkes’s translation version, the reader will be able to obtain betterunderstanding of the requirements fOr idiom translation in c1assics, whichis actually to dig out the implied meanings and accord apt treatment ofthe cultural connotations contained in the idioms.A proper idiom translation is essential and challenging for the full understanding and subtle appreciation of the great novel because the hugenumber of the Chinese idioms is involved in. These idioms represent thegenius and wit of the author and reveal the spirit of the whole book.Research on this subject shows that cultural lacunae and linguisticstumbling blocks prove to be the greatest obstacles to the ideal translationof idioms, based on which certain qualifications for the translator areconcluded. To meet the great challenge, the translator must belinguistically competent and able to be sharply aware of the differencesbetween the two cultures. On the Whole, translation of Chinese idioms inclassics is pragmatic rather than theoretical, so a qualified trans1ator issuPposed to have keen sensitivity to the rich resources of the languages,creative use of the TL and fundamental aPpreciation of the originalcofltext.