Analyzing The Balance Of Loss And Gain In Translating Chinese Folk Songs Under Translation Compensation Theory

The folk songs, which are sung and formed gradually through people's lives, work and fighting, are the collective work. They are the fruit of all people's wisdom, and the important way for cultural communication. As the ancient folk culture, the folk songs are valued by all the countries and occupy a very important status on the stage of history in the world. All kinds of song translations are needed, for the international communication of culture and arts. However, the translation of folk songs, especially the translation of Chinese folk songs, has not been valued for such a long time. The Chinese folk songs are of local colors, dialects and common sayings. Not only should the meanings of the words be paid attention to, but also the rhymes, rhythms and tones of music. The translating of Chinese folk songs are very difficult, but this also leaves much space for the further studying on it. This thesis will concentrate on the translation of Chinese folk songs, and try to find out the specific problems and translation skills.When researching on the materials, it is found that the materials about the translation of Chinese folk songs are few. Through the comparison, Bing He's translation, Selection of Chinese Folk Songs, is chosen for its authority and high reputation at home and abroad. Therefore, this thesis will take Bing He's translation of Chinese folk songs as the main object of researching.The author has reviewed the historical and present situation of song translation and folk song translation, and given a brief introduction to the origin, development and main features of Chinese folk songs. The theory of translation compensation, which is the suitable theory for the translation of Chinese folk songs, is discussed in this thesis, and some of Xia Tingde's opinions on translation compensation are adopted. On the whole, the translation compensation has not been applied as an acknowledged means as the other translation means in China and the West, and the researches on translation compensation lag far behind the other categories. Nevertheless, translation loss exists since the very beginning of translation. And now that there is translation loss, compensation is necessary. Thus, the prime target of this thesis is how to compensate the losing parts and keep the balance of gain and loss. After the research, the classifications and principles of translation compensation, which are summarized by Xia Tingde, could be the guide of the translation of Chinese folk songs, and the systemic theoretical framework. At last, the author analyzes the translation of classic Chinese folk songs in Bing He's book, and sums up the specific methods of translating Chinese folk songs.