On Pound’s “Energy In Language” And His Translation Of Cathay

“Energy in language” is an important concept to study Pound’s translation theory. Though some achievements of the studies on Cathay was made in recent years, there is few in number of the studies on application of “energy in language” and detailed translation theory in Cathay. In view of this, the purpose of this paper is to discuss whether it is an appropriate way to translate Chinese classical poetry with detailed translation theory based on “energy in language”. This study involves an exploration of the theoretical background of “energy in language” and detailed translation theory, the reasons for this theory being chosen to translate Cathay and a concrete analysis of the source text and the version with it. This study has been carried out by parallel study and case study. Through analyzing, the author thinks that it is not a good way to translate Chinese classical poetry under the direction of “energy in language” and detailed translation thoery while it is practical to be applied into poetry creation. It is supposed that the study is of theoritical value in the sense that it is helpful to reinforce the understanding of Pound’s poetic and tranlation theory; second, it will help western scholars on Pound understand the translation of chinese classical poetry; third, it will conduce to further study on Cathay by giving an effective direction; and last but not least, it is instructive for Chinese modern poetry creation.