Abstract

Translation about ancient Chinese poetry is always a popular topic in literature. Poems of Li Bai, who is one of the most famous poets in ancient China, have special charm for translators to translate them in other languages for cultural sharing. Changganxing is a typical poem of Li Bai, which has been translated by many translators and scholars in different periods. Among so many versions, the translation of a noted American poet, Ezra Pound, is reputed as the most beautiful poem in the twentieth century. Pound was devoted his whole life to study Chinese poetry and he was really fond of Chinese culture. His great contribution to spread Chinese poetry and culture in the western countries cannot be underrated. And Xu Yuanchong, a noble translator in China, is an expert in translations for Chinese, English and French. In China’s field of translation, Xu Yuanchong’s achievements are brilliant and respected. He also translated Changganxing and it is inevitable to be compared with other translations. In this thesis, there is a comparison between these two translations about Changganxing and reasons for the differences in translations are discussed from a cultural perspective. Meanwhile, since translation is cross-cultural, the importance of knowing source language and target language, as well as their different cultures needs to be highly valued in translation, so that cultural communications can be well realized. The main purpose and significance is to know the cultural core of Chinese-English translation about Chinese poetry in Tang Dynasty, so that Chinese poems can be spread in foreign countries and the westerners can have better understanding of Chinese culture and literature. 

Key Words: translation; culture; poetry

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1.-Introduction-1

1.1 The Background of the Study-1

1.2 The Purpose and Significance of the Study-1

1.3 The Organization of the Thesis-2

2.-Interpretation about Changganxing-3

3.-Contrast between Two Translations-4

3.1 Contrast in Titles-4

3.2 Contrast in Imageries-4

3.3 Contrast in Understandings about Chinese Culture in Translations-5

4.  Reasons for the Translation Differences from Cultural Perspective-7

4.1 Influence of Historic Culture on Selection of Changganxing-7

4.2 Meanings of Language Expressions in Different Cultures-7

4.3 Different Ways of Thinking in Translation about Changganxing-8

4.4 Family Status of Couples in Different Cultures-9

5.-Conclusion-10

References-11