A Study Of Reception Of Xu Yuanchong’s English Versions Of Tangshi Sanbai Shou:from The Perspective Of Paratext Theory

Tangshi Sanbai Shou was an anthology of Tang poems selected by Sun Zhu,Heng Tang Tui Shi in Qing Dynasty,which has been translated by many foreign scholars and sinologists.Xu Yuanchong is one of the contemporary outstanding translators in China.Engaged in literary translation for over 70 years,He has constructed his own translation theory and translation idea and has rich literary translation practice.Professor Xu has translated more than 3,000 poems and 60literary works.Professor Xu’s translations of Tangshi Sanbai Shou is based on“唐诗三百首详析”(Tangshi Sanbai Shou),a Chinese collection edited by Yu Shouzhen.Xu believes that Tang poetry is the treasure of Chinese traditional literature,and the three hundred Tang poems collected and translated are the gem of Tang poetry.Based upon the perspective of Paratext theory,this thesis studies the paratextual elements of Xu Yuanchong’s English versions of Tangshi Sanbai Shou and aims to explore its reception in foreign countries so as to provide some enlightenment and implications for the translation of Chinese classics and to promote Chinese literature and culture to go out of China and go into foreign countries.The author of this thesis mainly analyzes the translator’s preface of the translation to explore Xu Yuanchong’s translation idea and purpose,as well as the ordinary readers’ and scholars’ paratexts including the number of academic documents and library collections,the online sales,the online ranking,online ratings and online reviews in order to dig out whether his translation purpose is achieved or not.It is found that: a.Xu pursues rhymed version,which emphasizes the beauty of the translated verse in sense,in sound and in form;b.Xu’s translation purpose is to present the beauty of Tang Poetry to foreign readers and to make them understand,enjoy and delight in it;c.the research on Xu’s translations by foreign scholars is few,its library collections is 21,its online sales is 3,its best search ranks third,and 22 consumers rate it on Goodreads in which the favorable rate is 59.1%.Therefore,it is concluded that the reception of Xu’s translations is low in foreign countries and Xu Yuanchong fails to achieve his translation purpose and does not make Tang Poetry go into the world.In the meantime,the author provides three possible reasons why Xu’s translations is not accepted widely by foreign readers: a.The poetics reflected in Xu’s translations is inconsistent with that in foreign countries.The mainstream principle of poetry translation in foreign countries tends to be free verse while Xu pursues rhymed verse.Therefore,Xu’s translation does not meet the aesthetic expectations of contemporary readers abroad;b.reader-centered peritext.It lacks reader-centered peritexts in Xu’s translations,including pocket size,copious background information and so forth;c.the publishing presses are little known in foreign countries.