Abstract
This study aims to examine the features of China English in the translation of Chinese classics by comparing two versions of Tao Te Ching based on corpus data. Of the two English versions, one was translated by a well-known Chinese translator—Xu Yuanchong, and the other was translated by an American sinologist—Arthur Waley. This study found that Xu’s translation indicates more features of China English compared with Waley’s translation according to three major aspects. First, Xu’s translation is more concise, employing fewer words to translate Tao Te Ching. Second, Xu’s version features fewer clauses and more clear sentences. Third, the paratactic nature of China English is reflected in Xu’s translation, which has more content words and less cohesiveness. This study reveals the characteristics of China English in translation texts and partly fills the research gaps regarding the quantitative research in this field.
Highlights
In the context of English as a Lingua Franca, China English represents a linguistic identity that allows Chinese people to maintain their cultural identity in an English-speaking society
This study aims to examine the features of China English in the translation of Chinese classics by comparing two versions of Tao
This study reveals the characteristics of China English in translation texts and partly fills the research gaps regarding the quantitative research in this field
Summary
In the context of English as a Lingua Franca, China English represents a linguistic identity that allows Chinese people to maintain their cultural identity in an English-speaking society. Because ancient Chinese philosophical texts can reflect China’s language and culture, their English translations are highly representative and valuable for studying China English. Chinese classic worldwide that has been translated into English around 200 times. Most translations of Tao Te Ching were completed by native English speakers who were concerned about English readers and attempted to make their works more understandable, which means their translations were more idiomatic, and the prosody of the original Chinese version may have been lost. This study aims to examine the features of China English in the translation of Chinese classics by comparing two versions of Tao Te Ching based on corpus data. Of the two English versions, one was translated by Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021), a well-known Chinese translator, and the other was translated by Arthur Waley, an American sinologist (1888-1966)
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