German Functionalist Approaches To The Translation Of The Chinese Couplet

Duilian (Chinese couplet), which is colloquially called duizi, is formally called yinglian. If it is used to celebrate the Spring Festival, it is specifically called chunlian (Spring Festival couplet). A Chinese couplet consists of two lines in which the first line and the second line are literally called the upper line and the lower line respectively. There are strict rules on the composition of the Chinese couplet. The two lines of a Chinese couplet should have the same number of characters and the same syntactic structure. Each corresponding character of the two lines should have the same part of speech. In addition, the Chinese couplet requires harmony in tonal patterns. Because most Chinese characters are monosyllabic square characters, there exists the symmetric beauty when a Chinese couplet is written down. If a Chinese couplet is written in calligraphic style on a scroll and hung up, it will be of more artistic value. However, there is no such literary form in other languages. Boasting a long history and unique in form, the Chinese couplet not only stands an important place in the treasure house of Chinese literature and art, but is of special significance to the world literature and art.The Chinese couplet, according to most commonly accepted ideas, originated during the Five Dynasties. Through more than a thousand years' history, the Chinese couplet does not lose its appeal but gains strong popularity. It is used in a variety of occasions: traditional holidays, weddings, funerals, and other social activities. Literati write Chinese couplets for scenic spots and historical sites, and they present Chinese couplets to relatives and friends to express their best wishes. The Chinese couplet, which is so widely used and appeals to both the refined and popular tastes, will have eternal vitality.Chinese couplets are also available in many Chinese literary works, for example: The Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West, A Dream of Red Mansions. Furthermore, the titles of the chapters in these literary works are often Chinese couplets. A great number of verses in classical Chinese poems are Chinese couplets. Chinese couplets can also be found in many tourist spots around China. With the development of...