Abstract

Song Ci is a precious legacy of Chinese classical literature. It has a pivotal position in the history of Chinese literature for its unique artistic charms. Ci poems are divided into two schools: Bold and unconstrained school, subtle and restrained school. And Li Qingzhao was the outstanding poet of the Song Dynasty and the leader of the restrained school. Her poems has elegant words, delicate emotions and rich images. Over the past few years, many famous translators at home and abroad have translated her works in English. The “Three-Beauty” Principle put forward by Xu Yuanchong has a considerable impact in the field of poetry translation. 

The article will conduct a comparative study on different translations of Li Qingzhao’s ci-poems based on the “Three-Beauty” Principle to analyze its specific application in poetry translation. The next chapter is a comparative study of the different English versions of “Sheng Sheng Man”, and analyzes the shortcomings or deficiencies of the application of the “Three-Beauty” Principle.

Based on the above discussions, “Three-Beauty” Principle has a high value to guide the translation of poems, and the poetry translation under its guidance can make the readers feel the beauty of the original works. 

Keywords: Li Qingzhao’s ci poems; English Translation; Xu Yuanchong;

“Three-Beauty” Principle 

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction1

2.Literature Review..1

3. Xu Yuanchong and His Translation Theory2

4. “Three Beauties” in the Translation of Li Qingzhao’s Ci Poems...3

4.1 Reproduction of Beauty in sense....3

4.2 Reproduction of Beauty in sound...5

4.3 Reproduction of Beauty in form.....6

5. A Comparative Study of English Versions of “ Sheng ShengMan” from the Perspective of “Three Beauties” 8

5.1 Analysis on beauty in sense..10

5.2 Analysis on beauty in sound.10

5.3 Analysis on beauty in form...10

6. Conclusion..11

Works Cited...12