Abstract

To comprehend current research status of Chinese-English (henceforth C-E) euphemism translation, this research conducted a systematic literature review on 147 publications from 1997 to 2025 based on prisma, from aspects of research trend, subjects, applied theories, problems identified, and translation strategies and principles. It shows euphemism translation from Chinese to English has started in 1997, then developed to its climax in 2012 and began to decline until now. Besides, there is a transition in theories application from Skopos and functional equivalence to cultural theory. Furthermore, homogeneity is found in translation problems, strategies, and principles. All of these limitations suggest more diversified perspectives in C-E euphemism translation. Therefore, cross-disciplinary perspectives are welcomed in relevant studies, such as culture, ideology, readers’ cognitive and psychology, and readers’ reception. This research makes a summary of current research status quo, finding some limitations in this regard such as lacking of cross-disciplinary perspectives and homogeneity in translation problems and strategies, which will enrich relevant research diversity and offer more guidance to address relevant problems and fill up the research gaps.

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