Analysis the Aesthetics of Prof. Xu Yuanchong's
Theory of Poetry Translation
Abstract: Because of the huge differences between Chinese and English in linguistic and cultural aspects, the translation of the poems has long been a problem in translation circles. However Prof. Xu Yuanchong, founded the theory of “Three Principles of Beauty” which means beauty in sense, beauty in sound and beauty in form, which gave good directions to the translation of poems. This paper will combine theory with practice, to analyze a translated version of Chinese ancient poems by Prof. Xu Yuanchong, and discuss the application and reflection of the “Three Beauties” in detail. At last, the conclusion that the “Three Principles of Beauty” is suitable for the translation of poems, but in practice, the application of beauty in sense may be the point which could be pursued relatively easier. While the beauty in sound and form can not be pursued too high, as far as possible, only properly. Nevertheless the most important task for translators is faithfulness, which must not ignore the accuracy because of pursuing the “three Beauties”.
Key Words: three principles of beauty; beauty in sense; beauty in sound; beauty in form; aesthetic
浅析许渊冲诗歌翻译理论中的美学思想
摘 要：由于中文和英文在语言和文化上的巨大差异，长期以来诗歌翻译都是译坛的一个难题。许渊冲教授从美学的角度，在翻译理论上他创立了“三美”说，即意美，音美，形美，对诗歌翻译产生了很好的指导作用。本论文将从理论结合实际，分析许渊冲教授翻译中文古诗英译版本，注意探究“三美”的具体应用和体现。得出最后的结论——“三美”适合于诗歌翻译，但在实际应用中意美的追求相对容易，而音美和形美无法追求过高，只能要求尽可能的贴切。而且译者的最重要任务是忠实，切不可因为追求“三美”而忽视了翻译的准确性。
关键词： 三美原则；意美；音美；形美；美学
CONTENTS
Introduction 1
1. Background and Circumstances of the Aesthetics of Prof. Xu Yuanchong’s Theory of Poetry Translation 1
1.1 History of Poetry Translation 1
1.1.1 Aesthetics of Many Famous Translators 1
1.1.2 Aesthetics of Prof. Xu Yuanchong 1
1.2 Current Acheivement of Professor Xu Yuanchong in Aesthetics Research 2
1.2.1 Definition of Prof. Xu’s Aesthetics Result 2
1.2.2 The Origin and Foundation of “Three Principles of Beauty” 2
1.2.3 Brief Analysis of “Three Principles of Beauty” 2
2. Analyze “Three Principles of Beauty” in Detail 3
2.1 Prof. Xu Yuanchong’s Opinion on Each Beauty 3
2.1.1 Prof. Xu Yuanchong’s Opinion on “Beauty in sence” 3
2.1.2 Prof. Xu Yuanchong’s Opinion on “Beauty in Sound and Form” 3
2.1.3 The Relationship between Three Beauties 3
2.2 “Three Principles of Beauty” in Practical Use 4
2.2.1 The Embodiment of “Beauty in Sense” 5
2.2.2 The Embodiment of “Beauty in Sound” 8
2.2.3 The Embodiment of “Beauty in Form” 9
2.2.4 Setting up a Good Teacher-student Relationship 10
2.3 The Limitation of “Three Principles of Beauty” 10
3. Conclusion 10
Bibliography 13
