On The Creativeness In The English Translation Of Classical Chinese Poetry

The history of classical Chinese poetry can be dated back to 3000 years ago.And from the ancient times up to now, classical Chinese poems have been recited and quoted. But the English translation of the poems began only over 100 years ago. In recent years, more and more scholars have been engaged in translating classical Chinese poetry into English. Various English versions of these verses provide easy access for ardent English readers. Meanwhile, great importance has been attached to the studies of verse translation.A common topic that has not been thoroughly discussed yet in verse translation is creativeness. It exists in almost all the TL texts rendered by different translators. Though poetry is a highly creative literary form, translating poems can't be as creative as writing them, since translation, in nature, is the transference of the given message rather than sheer creation. Yet, as an unavoidable means in verse translation, creativeness is always adopted to solve problems in the process of translation. This thesis, beginning with the analysis of the text, ranges from translators to readers. It discusses creativeness in the English translation of classical Chinese poetry in these three aspects and points out its limitations and development in the future as well.This thesis consists of introduction, main body and conclusion. The main body is divided into four chapters, three of which deal with creativeness in the English translation of classical Chinese poetry in the three major aspects in translation. The last chapter is a discussion of limitations and development of creativeness. The part of introduction treats of the present situation of the studies on the English translation of classical Chinese poetry and raises the topic to be discussed in the thesis: creativeness in the English translation of classical Chinese poetry, its feasibility, limitation and development.Chapter one makes an analysis of both SL and TL texts. Common features of classical Chinese poetry are summarized, for they are indispensable knowledge for the translators. These features include the neat and balanced form, melodious and harmonious sound, and as well rich and profound meaning. In the analysis of the TL text, two aspects should be taken into consideration: linguistic aspect and readers'responses, so as to transfer the aesthetic beauty embodied in the SL text. The analysis of...