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On Manipulation Of Cultural Images In Chu Ci From The Perspective Of Xu Yuanchong’s Poetry Translation Theories

Posted on:2012-06-17Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:J L HeFull Text:PDF
GTID:2235330395964042Subject:English Language and Literature
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
This thesis attempts to discuss the manipulation of cultural images in Chu Ci from the perspective of Professor Xu Yuanchong’s translation theories. Chu Ci, as the first romantic anthology in Chinese literature, regarded as one of the two origins of Chinese poetry, has great significance in both literature and history. It has been translated into different languages since the19th Century. Cultural image, the reflection of Chinese culture, forms the soul of Chu Ci. The manipulation of cultural image is the key to recreating the beauty of Chu Ci, as well as the greatest difficulty during the process of translation.From his rich experience of translating classical Chinese poetry into English and French, Xu Yuanchong has summed up a complete system of translation theories, among which there are principles of "three beauties"(beauty in sense, in sound and in form), three "-ization"(equalization, particularization, generalization) and three "-ion"(comprehension, appreciation, admiration). Xu makes application of these principles in his translation practice and wins great success. The biggest difficulty in translating Chu Ci lies in its large number of cultural images, and the study of Xu’s manipulation of cultural images in Chu Ci would undoubtedly bring inspiration to the translation of Chu Ci and other classical Chinese literary works.This thesis starts with a brief review of studies on poetry image abroad and at home, followed by a detailed classification of cultural images in Chu Ci, as well as a primary discussion of translation methods of different cultural images. The thesis mainly focuses on an examination of Xu Yuanchong’s manipulation of cultural images in his translation of Chu Ci from the perspectives of "three beauties", three "-ion" and three "-ization", to study their individual roles in guiding the translation practice, as well as their internal relations. It draws the conclusion that in classical poetry translations, the three sets of principles do not work in isolation from each other. The translation of cultural image is a comprehensive practice that should take three "-ion" as its goal,"three beauties" as its standard and three "-ization" as its strategy. On the other hand, from the perspective of rivalry between source and target languages, in translation of Chu Ci and other classical literary works, the translator should make full use of the best expressions of the target language, to deliver to the readers the connotation of obscure image in original text into easily comprehensible words.
Keywords/Search Tags:Chu Ci, Xu Yuanchong, poetry translation theories, cultural image
PDF Full Text Request
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