On Translation Strategies for the Grass Imagery in Classical Chinese Poetry: A Cultural Semiotic Perspective

Grass constitutes a vital poetic imagery in classical Chinese poetry, embodying multifaceted symbolic connotations ranging from the tenacity of life to sentiments of separation and nostalgic longing. The translation of this botanical motif necessitates not merely lexical equivalence, but more importantly, the transmission of its profound cultural resonance and aesthetic essence. This study posits that effective rendition of grass imagery should adopt an integrative approach synthesizing the objectives of cultural translation with the intrinsic aesthetic characteristics of classical poetry. Through systematic analysis of the cultural semiotics embedded in grass symbolism, the research investigates practical translation techniques at lexical, syntactic, and stylistic dimensions. The findings aim to contribute to the theoretical framework of cultural image translation in Chinese poetic tradition while providing methodological references for cross-cultural interpretation of classical verse. By bridging cultural semiotics with translation praxis, this investigation seeks to advance the intercultural communication of Chinese poetic heritage through nuanced treatment of its botanical symbolism.

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