A Study on Translation Methods and Strategies in the English Translation of the Li Sao by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang

Weiwei Yang

doi:10.55121/cl.v2i1.108

Abstract

The poem Li Sao in Chu Ci first created the form of the unique genre “Sao Ti” in Chinese literature, displaying a positive romantic spirit. It has been included in textbooks multiple times and has had a significant impact on the development of Chinese literature. After the Han Dynasty, later literati always highly respected Qu Yuan. The quality of the English translation of Li Sao, as a representative chapter of the Chu Ci, directly reflects the quality of the selected translation. This article takes the English translation of Li Sao by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang as the starting point, analyzes its translation methods from three levels: rhythm, rhetoric, and culturally-loaded words, and explores the translation strategies the translators adopt. This will provide valuable reference experience for translators and have a certain guiding significance for the English translation of literary classics in China.

Keywords

Li Sao Translation methods Translation strategies Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang

References

[1] Johnson, J., 1959. Li Sao: A poem on relieving sorrow a prose translation with an introduction and notes. Olivant Press: Miami. pp. 1, 7, 9–11.
[2] Nida Eugene, A., 1993. Language, culture and translating. Foreign Language Education Press: Shanghai.
[3] Roy, D.T., 1960. Review: Li Sao: A third century B.C. poem by Ch’u Yuan by Jerah Johnson. Journal of Asian Studies. (1), 103–104.
[4] Payne, R., 1947. The White Pony, an anthology of Chinese poetry from the earliest times to the present day. The John Day Company: New York.
[5] Yang, X.Y., Yang, G., 1953. The Li Sao and other poems of Ch’ü Yüan. Foreign Language Press: Beijing.
[6] Minford, J., Lau, J.S.M., 2002. Classical Chinese literature: An anthology of translations. Columbia University Press: New York.
[7] White, L.A., 1943. Energy and the evolution of culture. American Anthropologist. 45(3), 335–356.

How to Cite

Weiwei Yang. A Study on Translation Methods and Strategies in the English Translation of the Li Sao by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang. Classical Literature. 9 August 2024. https://doi.org/10.55121/cl.v2i1.108

Citation formats

Copyright & License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Article Metrics

1,191Abstract views

1,021Downloads

[1] [1] Johnson, J., 1959. Li Sao: A poem on relieving sorrow a prose translation with an introduction and notes. Olivant Press: Miami. pp. 1, 7, 9–11.

[2] [2] Nida Eugene, A., 1993. Language, culture and translating. Foreign Language Education Press: Shanghai.

[3] [3] Roy, D.T., 1960. Review: Li Sao: A third century B.C. poem by Ch’u Yuan by Jerah Johnson. Journal of Asian Studies. (1), 103–104.

[4] [4] Payne, R., 1947. The White Pony, an anthology of Chinese poetry from the earliest times to the present day. The John Day Company: New York.

[5] [5] Yang, X.Y., Yang, G., 1953. The Li Sao and other poems of Ch’ü Yüan. Foreign Language Press: Beijing.

[6] [6] Minford, J., Lau, J.S.M., 2002. Classical Chinese literature: An anthology of translations. Columbia University Press: New York.

[7] [7] White, L.A., 1943. Energy and the evolution of culture. American Anthropologist. 45(3), 335–356.