On the English Translation of Tang Poetry under the “Harmony-Guided Three-Level Poetry Translation Criteria”-A Case Study of “Farewell to Uncle Yun, Imperial Librarian, At Xie Tiao Pavilion in Xuancheng”

Zhu Lihong,Wang Feng

doi:10.22161/jhed.1.4.1

Abstract

As Tang poetry is one of the quintessences of Chinese literature, this article adopts Dr. Wang Feng’s “Harmony-Guided Three-Level Poetry Translation Criteria” as a guide to analyze twelve English versions of Li Bai’s “Farewell to Uncle Yun, Imperial Librarian, at Xie Tiao Pavilion in Xuancheng” by Witter Bynner, Lancelot Granmer-Byng, John Scott, Innes Herdan, Sun Dayu, Wang Yushu, Soame Jenyns, Xu Yuanchong, Zhang Bingxing, Gong Jinghao, Xie Yanming and Wang Fulin. After analysis and comparison of the twelve English translations, it finds that the translation of Tang poetry should convey the poetic and artistic beauty under the guidance of “Harmony-Guided Three-Level poetry translation criteria” to blaze abroad classical Chinese culture.

Highlights

As a gem of classical Ch inese literature, Tang poetry shows neat forms, concise language, rich artistic concepts, and diverse subjects
Tang poetry pays more attention to antithesis and rhythm, which great ly enhances the beauty of music and makes reader understand it and impressively
Tang poetry is concise in language, it usually expresses a profound artistic concept

Summary

INTRODUCTION

As a gem of classical Ch inese literature, Tang poetry shows neat forms, concise language, rich artistic concepts, and diverse subjects. The poetry language has its own artistic characteristics expressing either a fresh or simple, or magnificent atmosphere. Tang poetry is concise in language, it usually expresses a profound artistic concept. Some poems describe the things in nature and some poets express their emotions by writing a kind of p lant or a scene. These poems are imaginative or thought-provoking or resonating. A large number of outstanding poets appeared as the Tang poetry was created with different writing style. The two most outstanding poets are Li Bai / Li Po and Du Fu

HARMONY-GUIDED CRITERIA FOR POETRY TRANSLATION

ANALYSIS OF THE ENGLIS H VERSIONS BASED ON THE HARMONY-GUIDED

A REFERENCE TRANSLATION OF THE POEM

CONCLUSION