A Study on the Northern Shaanxi Folk Song Translation from the Perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistics

Abstract

Northern Shaanxi folk songs are an integral part of China’s folk-art heritage, renowned for their simplicity and the deep emotional expression they convey. As a vital component of traditional Chinese culture, the translation of these folk songs necessitates meticulous attention. However, in recent years, there has been a paucity of innovation in the study of northern Shaanxi folk songs, both in terms of research methods and study perspectives. This article aims to address this gap by applying Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) to the translation practice of northern Shaanxi folk songs. This article first provides an overview of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), a linguistic framework developed by Michael Alexander Kirkwood Halliday (M.A.K. Halliday). It then utilizes SFL ‘Context’ theory to explore various translation techniques, drawing on appropriate examples from Wang Hongyin's Voices from China’s Northwest. The objective of this research is to facilitate the external dissemination of northern Shaanxi folk songs by applying Systemic Functional Linguistics to their translation. This approach is intended to foster cross-cultural communication and understanding. In conclusion, the author's endeavours and research have yielded novel insights into the practice of translating northern Shaanxi folk songs and have advanced the English translation of folk songs to a modest extent.