Ancient Chinese poetry, as the precious heritage of Chinese civilization, embodies the collective memory of the Chinese nation. The translation of the classical poems into English is a way of recounting traditional Chinese cultural stories to the world. It also serves to bridge gaps between China and the West and contributes Chinese wisdom to the development of world culture.

Native translators play active role

First, native translators should play an active role in translations so that traditional Chinese virtues embodied in poems earn more respect, understanding and recognition. Before the 1980s, English translations of the poems were almost all undertaken by British and American translators. Since then, native Chinese translators took much more initiative to translate and to introduce the poems themselves. They paid much attention to the interactive relationship between translation activities and social reality in order to convey the essence of traditional Chinese culture to the outside world by using proper translations. For quite a long time, native translators were the mainstay of poem translation, and chose source materials in a more targeted way.

The works by outstanding poets such as Tao Yuanming, Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, Su Shi and Xin Qiji have been passed down through the ages and are still relevant today. Those poems that reflect patriotism and devotion to the motherland, benevolence and humanity, desire for peace, and those poems that are enlightening, instructive or convey truthful and philosophic meanings became the major targets for translation and elucidation by native translators.

In the process of translation, translators should strive to objectively present the personal and moral character of excellent poets so the translation can break through the level of “skill” and rise to the level of “Tao,” (universal knowledge). As the result of the changing historical conditions and different life experiences of readers, there are bound to be varied interpretations or explanations of the same poem, and thus no definitive translation exists for any single piece. Classic originals need to be complemented by classic translations. Under the perspective of globalization, the English translation of the poetry is a process of conducting dialogues, exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese literature and world literature, which largely depends on the translators’ choice for the original translation texts and the way in which they are interpreted.

Western translations with exotic views

Furthermore, Western scholars’ translation of ancient Chinese poetry into English and their pertinent studies, as “stones from other hills which can help one polish the jade,” makes the works more accessible and well known overseas. It also provides the readers with a more exotic view in perceiving the uniqueness of Chinese literature. For example, the American poet Ezra Pound, drawing on some elements of traditional Chinese poetry theory, formed the theory of “imagism.” While creating a new fashion for the innovation and development of American poetry, it also made ancient Chinese poetry more attractive and appealing. Arthur Waley, a British Sinologist, used the “bouncing rhythm” technique which breaks through the rules of traditional English metrical poetry in reproducing the rhyme and rhythm of Chinese classical poetry. This free style of poetry translation aroused the interest of many ordinary readers in Britain and America. It also further expanded the dissemination of ancient Chinese poetry and augmented its influence.

It can be seen that Western translators take into account both Western poetic systems and the reading habits of the English-speaking world through proper translation. In this way, the beauty of Chinese poetry is manifested in the English context. Different translations have their own rationality and limitations, thus readers thus need to be provided with different versions for their optional reading so they can feel the artistic charm and style of the poetry from different perspectives. Regarding certain cultural misinterpretations and mistranslations, we should view them from the perspective of mutual learning among civilizations and embrace diversified translations with a more inclusive and open attitude.

Translation theory as guidance

In addition, English translation of Chinese poetry cannot be separated from the guidance of translation theory. In conducting cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, Western literary experience and theory should not be taken as the single benchmark of judgment. The ancient poetry translation theories are intrinsically related to the theories of Chinese poetry, which are extracted and sublimated on the basis of poetical elements such as imagery, artistic conception, emotional expression, etc. The Tao, Qi, rhyme and flavor that run through the poems embody distinct characteristics of traditional Chinese poetics. Readers are also more inclined to comment and evaluate literary works from the perspective of intuitive understandings. English translations of Chinese poetry, as a kind of literary reconstruction activity, should thus construct its own theory by seeking sources and drawing elements from traditional Chinese poetics. Through contemporary interpretation, it can coexist in harmony with Western translation theory.

Yan Xiaojiang is a professor from the School of Foreign Languages at Nantong University.