TITLE:
A Study on the English Translation of Chinese Numerical Idioms from the Perspective of Semantic and Communicative Translation Theory
AUTHORS:
Yike Ping
KEYWORDS:
Numerical Idioms, Semantic Translation, Communicative Translation, Translation Strategies
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.6,
June
8,
2026
ABSTRACT: From the perspective of semantic and communicative translation theory, this paper analyzes the semantic features, cultural connotations, translation difficulties, and practical translation methods of Chinese numerical idioms. On the basis of Newmark’s distinction between semantic translation and communicative translation, the paper proposes that the English translation of numerical idioms should not rely mechanically on either literal transfer or free rendering. Instead, translators should first judge whether the numeral in a given idiom is literal, figurative, culturally loaded, or context-dependent, and then select a method that can balance semantic accuracy, cultural transmission, and target-reader acceptance. The study further discusses six translation methods, namely literal translation, idiomatic borrowing, free translation, amplification, omission, and variation, through illustrative examples. It concludes that semantic and communicative translation should be applied flexibly according to the idiom’s literal meaning, figurative meaning, cultural load, rhetorical effect, and communicative context.Subject AreasLinguistics