Deconstruction of Traditional “Equivalence” in the Translation of Chinese Classics

Abstract

Most traditional translation theories advocated that translation should strive to achieve “equivalence” between the target text and the original text. Deconstructive translation theory points out that the purpose of translation is not to seek common ground, but to preserve differences. Therefore, translation should try to reflect the differences between languages. This paper is intended to combine deconstruction theory of translation with linguistic theory in the translation of Chinese Classics. It analyzes the problems in the traditional translation theory in the translation of Chinese Classics from the perspective of seeking “equivalence” and tries to give some possible solution to the problems.