Qian "transformation" - Thought

As an academic master, Qian Zhongshu is well versed in studies in China and the west, in ancient and modern time. His discourses on translation studies, as a sub-branch of his comparative literature studies, has drawn widespread attention among Chinese translation theorists and practitioners and scholars in literary circle as well. As the epitome of his translation theory, "Sublimation" has enjoyed high prestige in Chinese translation circle. However, very few people in the translation circle make a comprehensive and systematic study of "Sublimation", and even fewer translators understand its real connotations for the theory is highly abstract, mysterious and thus unattainable, just like an attic in the air. In view of this situation, the present dissertation attempts at a comprehensive and integrated study of "Sublimation" in terms of its historical background, theoretical basis and profound connotations by applying the method of "interpreting Qian Zhongshu in his own words" and by referring to the study results achieved by scholars and experts at home and abroad. By doing so, Theory of "Sublimation" is clarified, specified and systematized so as to be widely acceptable to people in translation circle. Meanwhile, the theory may be exploited to guide translators how to employ "enticement", avoid "misinformation", seek "sublimation", and eventually perfect their translations with an aim to achieve the highest stage of literary translation.