On the Translation of Chinese Poetry

On the Translation of Chinese Poetry

古诗英译刍论

Wang Ruli

王如利

Abstract: This paper explores three basic questions concerning the translation of Chinese poetry: whether it is translatable, who can undertake the task, and how the translation should be done. Although loss is unavoidable, translation practice has proven that Chinese poetry is translatable in sense, form and sound. Both Chinese and foreign translators have their own advantages, so both can make their contributions to the translation of Chinese poetry into English. Faithfulness to the original should always take the priority, and poetical quality of the translated text is also a necessity. The transmission of sense is of prime importance, while form and sound should also be taken into consideration, and compensation strategies can be applied to make the translated poem achieve self-contained beauty in sense, form and sound.

摘要：本文探讨了古诗英译的三个问题：是否可译？可由谁译？可如何译？中国古典诗词难译，但并非不可译。翻译中的流失虽不可避免，但原作的“意美”“形美”和“音美”可以在不同程度上再现。中诗英译不应是外国人的专利，也并非只有中国人才能承担，中外译者各有所长，应共同为中西文化的交流做出贡献。译诗应以传达原作“意美”为首要任务，同时采取适当补偿策略再现或模拟“形美”和“音美”，力求译作兼具“译”的“忠”和“诗”的“美”。

Key words: translation of Chinese poetry; translatability; translators; translation strategies

关键词：中诗英译；是否可译；可由谁译；可如何译

中图分类号：H315.9，I046 文献标识码：A 文章编号：2832-0317（2025）02-0019-9

DOI：10.12424/HA.2025.023 本文链接：https://www.oc-press.com/HA-202502-019.html