Evaluative language and gender stereotyping: a case study of the perpetuation of sexism in literary translation

Mainstream translation studies of gender issues have not drawn on socio-psychological studies for more meticulous examinations of sexism and gender stereotyping practices. Moreover, they have rarely used the appraisal framework as an analytical tool in their critical discussions. Based on the appraisal framework and some socio-psychological studies, this case study explores the translatorial manipulations of evaluative language, which take the form of linguistic penalties imposed on gender stereotype violators or linguistic rewards granted to conformists. This study analyses two English-Chinese translations of a historical novel that abounds in linguistic evidence of sexism and gender stereotyping. The analysis shows that literary translators may support the status quo of the gender system of their regions and utilise judgements of esteem and sanctions as gender stereotyping practices.