Characteristics and Optimization of University English Translation from a Cross-cultural Perspective-Based on Functional Translation Theory

Drawing on the theoretical framework of functional translation, this study presents a multifaceted exploration of university English translation through functional, constructive, evolutionary, and cultural lenses. Positioned within a cross-cultural context, the paper categorizes university English translation into three primary attributes: the frontier nature of translation, linguistic and cultural divergences, and the professionalism required in translation activities. Utilizing Super Decision software, these attributes serve as input variables to construct a Network Hierarchical Analysis model. This model is further integrated with the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) recursive structure to assess the influence of various factors on translation quality. The study employs a multidimensional approach to dissect the impact of cultural and professional variances on the quality of university English translation. The results reveal that 54 out of 65 cultural dimensions (83.08%) significantly affect translation quality. In the realm of professional characteristics, four out of six dimensions (66.67%) are found to have a considerable influence on translation quality. Based on these comprehensive findings, the paper proposes four strategic optimizations aimed at enhancing the quality of university English translation, thereby offering valuable insights and practical recommendations for the field. © 2024 Xi Zhou, published by Sciendo.