Translation Strategies of Domestication: A Study of English-Chinese Translation by Taking the Translation Techniques in Harry Potter as an Example

Junqian Li

doi:10.54254/2753-7064/2025.HT25721

Communications in Humanities ResearchOpen access

Translation Strategies of Domestication: A Study of English-Chinese Translation by Taking the Translation Techniques in Harry Potter as an Example

Research Article

Open Access

Translation Strategies of Domestication: A Study of English-Chinese Translation by Taking the Translation Techniques in Harry Potter as an Example

Junqian Li ^1*

¹ Guangdong University of Foreign Studies

^*Corresponding author: luciuslee0914@163.com

Published on 6 August 2025

CHR Vol.75

ISSN (Print): 2753-7072

ISSN (Online): 2753-7064

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-317-8

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-318-5

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Abstract

Domestication strategy is an imperative component of translation practice. Along with people's demand for high-quality translation, this theory has also been constantly evolving with translation practice. Taking the English-Chinese translation ofHarry Potteras an example, systematically summarize and introduce relevant translation strategies of domestication, and evaluate the merits and demerits, and look forward to future application and research prospects. The mastery of domestication strategy is essential in translation studies, as it prioritizes target-culture norms and reader expectations, enhancing the textual fluency and cultural accessibility. This approach facilitates effective cross-cultural communication by minimizing foreignness as well as preserving core meaning, underscoring its significance in both theoretical and practical translation research. This essay first introduces the definition of domestication translation strategy, and then elaborates on it in detail from three aspects: liberal translation, imitation and variation translation. Meanwhile, by citing specific examples from the English-Chinese translations ofHarry Potter,readers can further deepen their understandings.

Keywords:

Domestication, Liberal translation, Variation translation, Harry Potter, English-Chinese translation

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References

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References

[1]. Venuti, L. (2017). The translator's invisibility: A history of translation. Routledge.

[3]. Duan Xuehui. The Application of Domestication and Foreignization in the Literary Translation of Harry Potter [J]. Masterpieces Appreciation, 2025, (11): 22-24.DOI: 10.20273/

[6]. Zhang Shunsheng, Ni Xiujing. Translating by Paraphrasing, Imitating and Creating (Part One) - Three Methods of English-Chinese Translation [J]. English World, 2023, 42(08): 97-100/

[9]. Wang Y .Retranslation of The Analects of Confucius and the Causes for Retranslation [J].Journal of Art, Culture and Philosophical Studies, 2024, 1(1)/

Cite this article

Li,J. (2025). Translation Strategies of Domestication: A Study of English-Chinese Translation by Taking the Translation Techniques in Harry Potter as an Example. Communications in Humanities Research,75,9-14.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICADSS 2025 Symposium: Consciousness and Cognition in Language Acquisition and Literary Interpretation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-317-8(Print) / 978-1-80590-318-5(Online)

Editor: Yanhua Qin, Enrique Mallen

Conference website: https://2025.icadss.org/Huntsville.html

Conference date: 17 September 2025

Series: Communications in Humanities Research

Volume number: Vol.75

ISSN: 2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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