A Comparative Study On Two English Versions Of Mencius

Based on the Nida’s equivalence theory, this thesis compares sinologist James Legge’s English version of Mencius, published by the Clarendon Press in1895, with D.C Lau’s Mencius, published by Penguin Classics in2004, from linguistic and cultural aspects by illustrations. Form the examination of the translator’s method of dealing with lexical, syntactic and style, it can be seen that mistranslations result from the complexity of classic Chinese and failure to fix literal meaning into the context. Suggestions are offered to some mistranslations. The original meaning was mostly conveyed by the two translators faithfully in syntax and style. But mistakes are inevitable due to the discrepancy between Chinese and English and the untranslatability in style. In cultural studies of the two English versions of Mencius, the translations of "Qi(气)""Yan(言)""Ren(仁)"are examined. Merits and demerits of two translations are analyzed and translation strategies are offered.