Abstract: This research studies three translations of Li Bai’s well-known poem Changgan Xing, produced by Ezra Pound, Xu Yuanchong and S. Obata respectively. The aim is to explore the strengths and weaknesses of those translations, and to learn translation skills through appreciating and comparatively studying both the original text and the translations.
As there is no universally accepted interpretation of poetry, the question of what constitutes successful poetry translation should be approached with sensitivity and openness. The author believes that each theory, principle or strategy can make its own contribution to the translation of the poem, and welcomes the “diversity” of translation.
Keywords: Classical Chinese poetry, translation, Li Bai, Changgan Xing
Contents
Introduction 3
1.1 A Brief Introduction to Li Bai 3
1.2 The Background of Changgan Xing 3
2 Literature Review 5
3 Appreciation of the Three Translations 8
3.1 General Outline of the Original Text 8
3.2 The Title 9
3.3 The Structure and Rhyme 10
3.4 The Tone and Diction 11
3.4.1 The Tone Decides the Diction 11
3.4.2 The Diction Alters the Tone 12
3.5 The Image 13
3.5.1 Images of similar culture 14
3.5.2 Images of different culture 16
4 The Limitations and Breakthrough of the Three Versions 21
4.1 In terms of Equivalence 21
4.2 In terms of “Three Beauty” 23
4.3 “Best for Whom?” 25
5 Conclusion 26
References 27
