A Study On Imagery Translation In Tang Poetry In The Light Of Palmer's Cultural Linguistics

Poetry is the pith of language, while imagery is the soul of poetry. The connotations and affections carried in poetry frequently root in concrete images, therefore the understanding of imagery turns out to be crucial in poetry aesthetics, which is also the difficult point in translating. Being praised as treasure of Chinese culture, Tang poetry employs various images. So far, there has been quite a few studies and discussions. Cultural linguistics, which is created by Gary. B. Palmer, is based on cognitive linguistic theory. It adds cultural elements into study, and concludes several basic principles for understanding imagery. This thesis uses the theory of Palmer's cultural linguistics and refers to the research results of poetry translation from imagery perspective both at home and abroad, to study the principles and strategies towards imagery translation in Tang poetry. It is composed by four chapters.Chapter One is a general introduction to Palmer's theory of cultural linguistics, and its core conception-imagery. Palmer thinks that the three traditions of linguistic anthropology are inherently connected with one another, yet lack a systematic model for research. While cognitive linguistics has not shown as enough interest in culture as the above-mentioned three traditions, Palmer proposes a cultural linguistic theory which combines them together. In defining the notion of imagery, he refers to four principles of mental imagery which are originally proposed by Ronald A. Finke, namely, the principle of perceptual equivalence, the principle of spatial equivalence, the principle of transformational equivalence, and the principle of structural equivalence. Palmer argues they can be viewd as a basic foundation for understanding imagery, and proposes his understanding of these principles.Chapter Two introduces the evolvement of imagery in Chinese ancient literary theory, and summarizes the differences and common points between Chinese and Western concept of image. According to professor Yuan Xingpei, imagery in Chinese ancient poetry can be classified into five categories: images of the natural world, images of social life, images of humans, images of objects created by human beings, images of imagination.Chapter Three analyzes the possibility of applying cultural linguistics theory into translating process. Palmer's cultural linguistics theory is an achievement in studies of language and culture, holding that language evokes imagery, and both of them should be understood in culture. Palmer believes imagery is structured by culture and personal history, so that different culture may bring on different imagery for the same object or event. Therefore, cross-cultural acceptance and comprehension is especially needed in communication, which is the same to translation. As a cross-cultural behavior, translation has always been aiming to build a bridge of understanding during different cultures. This chapter then analyzes imagery reproduction in the English versions of Tang poetry based on Palmer's apprehension on principles of mental imagery.Chapter Four makes the main conclusion of the whole thesis, summarizes the main findings, and raises some implications based on the analysis and cultural linguistics as well. Palmer's cultural linguistics can provide a new perspective to imagery translation, which requires that the integrity of imagery be maintained both literally and culturally in translation.