A Probe Into Aesthetic Representation In Xu Yuanchong's Tang Poetry Translation Based On The Theory Of Image-G Actualization

As the zenith of classical Chinese poetry, Tang poetry is a precious resplendent gem of both Chinese culture and the world literary treasury. With the reputation of "the art of beauty", it creates a beautiful artistic world with refined form, melodious sound and fine artistic conception. Thus, representation of the aesthetic and artistic qualities of Tang poems in translation is quite important, however, this has received relatively little discussion. Most studies on the translation of Tang poems have mainly discussed from traditional perspectives which still deem equivalence as the most important standard and pay much attention to the linguistic elements. Each Tang poem is the high organic integration of sounds, words, images and meanings, as well as structures. Yet the wholeness of the beauty and effect of Tang poems does not draw much attention. In view of these facts, the present dissertation is intended to make a tentative study of the aesthetic representation in Prof. Xu Yuanchong's Tang poetry translation from the perspective of image-G actualization which stresses the wholeness and the overall qualities of both the source texts and target texts.There are three purposes of undertaking the present study:(1) to find out the essential meaning of aesthetic representation of Tang poetry translation and to provide arguments on aesthetic criterion of harmony in it from the perspective of image-G actualization; (2) to shed new light on the basic aspects of aesthetic representation of Tang poetry translation and further demonstrate the applicable value and guiding significance of the image-G actualization in it; (3) to confirm the applicability of the theory to Xu Yuanchong's translations of Tang Poetry, thereby find a new perspective of the study of Tang poetry translation and Prof. Xu's translations.This dissertation goes deeper and deeper into the theme by carrying out the following analysis:From the perspective of image-G actualization, the dissertation first explores the essential meaning of aesthetic representation of Tang Poetry translation and its aesthetic standard. Then, it analyzes the affinities between image-G actualization and the aesthetic representation of Tang Poetry translation systematically. Finally, it analyzes how Prof. Xu represents the aesthetic qualities of the original poem in the target text and how the theory is reflected in the aspects of sound, form and sense according to the characteristics of Tang poems.The dissertation reaches conclusions as follows:(1) The aesthetic representation of Tang poetry translation is essentially the linguistic actualization of the related image-G. (2) Harmony is not only the aesthetic criterion that the translator should observe, but also the aesthetic effect that the translator should strive for holistically. (3) To produce a consistent and harmonious target text in a contextual sense and to achieve the higher aesthetic equivalence, the linguistic structure and elements should be coordinated based on the image-G. (4) Some of Prof. Xu's views embodied in his translations are correspondent with the propositions of the theory of image-G actualization.The findings of the study indicate that the theory of image-G actualization is of guiding significance and applicable value in the exploration and study of the aesthetic representation in Xu Yuanchong's Tang poetry translation.