Xu Yuanzhong’s Translation Of Classical Chinese Poetry: Comments From The Perspective Of Functionalist Translation Theory

Due to the divergence in language and culture system, the translation of classicalChinese poetry has always been a daunting task that evokes a great deal of discussionamong the academia. Xu Yuanzhong is a renowned scholar highly accomplished in bothtranslation theory and practice. He not only translates a large number of classical Chinesepoems into English, but also put forward a completed framework of translation theory,including ontology, epistemology, methodology and teleology, which is refined as “Artof beautifulization, and creation of the best as in rivalry”. Xu Yuanzhong deviates fromthe traditional thought of “fidelity” to the pursuit of “beauty”. Among Xu Yuanzhong’stheories, the “Three Beauties Theory” and the “Three Zhi Theory” represent the mostessential and instructive ones that guide his translation practice.Based on the German Functionalist Theory, especially its core element—the SkoposTheory, this thesis discusses how Xu Yuanzhong comprehensively adopted multipleapproaches to rebuild the “three beauty” of classical Chinese poetry, so as to make histranslation readable, enjoyable and delectable. Besides, functionalist translation theoryhas long been questioned by many scholars about its adaptability to the translation ofliterature text. So, this thesis also aims to discuss the applicability of functionalist theoryto the translation of classical Chinese poetry.This thesis is divided into five chapters:Chapter One generally introduces the historical studies on functionalist theory andXu Yuanzhong’s translation studies, the focus point of the thesis, the methodology andthe innovations of this thesis.Chapter Two consists of two parts. First, it introduces the evolution of functionalist-oriented theories that comes before the inception of functionalist. Second, it explains thedevelopment and major theoretical framework of functionalist theory by introducing thefour main representatives and their theories respectively.Chapter Three mainly discussed the features of classical Chinese poetry and XuYuanzhong’s theory and achievements in classical Chinese poetry translation. Chapter Four is the main body of this thesis. Based on Vermeer’s concept thattranslation is purposeful activity of cultural transfer, this chapter focuses on thediscussing how Xu Yuanzhong realizes his purpose of “readable, enjoyable anddelectable” translation. This chapter is divided into two parts. The first part discusses XuYuanzhong’s comprehensive utilization of various translation approaches to rebuild the“three beauties”. The second part discusses Xu Yuanzhong’s purpose-instructedinterpretation of the traditional Chinese thoughts and culture involved in classicalChinese poetry.Chapter Five discusses the limitation of functionalist translation theory and itsapplicability to the translation of classical Chinese poetry.