An Analysis of Ezra's Cathy from the Perspective of Functionalist Approach to Translation

Abstract

This paper analyzes Ezra Pound's creativeness in his translation Cathay of classical Chinese poems by an elaborated analysis from the perspective of functionalist approach. Under the great influence of classical Chinese poetry, Pound launches his career as a translator of Chinese poetry and publishes Cathay which has assumed a unique position in the history of English translation of classical Chinese poems. Aiming at a better appreciation of Cathay, this paper is to investigate what factors have influenced Pound and how his creativeness in translating classical Chinese poetry has been fully manifested from a perspective of functionalist translation approach.