Hundreds of poems have been recited by us from even the day we learned Chinese character, and we are used to quote some famous sentences when we talk, sing and write. It seems that poetry is an inseparable part of the great Chinese language. Whenever we read it, we are fascinated by the amazing structure as well as the abundant meaning. However, Chinese poetry is only open to the one who knows Chinese, thus this cultural achievements are prevalent in limited area.
Although there are many translations of Chinese poetry, we find it difficult to grasp the meaning in the literal, unimaginative edition. “If you want to see more, go upstairs” this sentence is well known by almost all Chinese, and I believe most of them would be stunned when they read this translation. Translating Chinese poetry into other languages is like the action of adapt it into modern Chinese language, namely, it just convey the superficial meaning of the poem and abandon the emotion and hided meaning of it. It does not make any sense at all. For instance, the moon, swallow, river and so on are the materials that deliver the feeling of homesick, but it merely deliver the straight meaning in most languages.
Therefore, I do not think reading the English edition of Chinese poetry is a decent method of knowing traditional Chinese literature. Moreover, it is the same with other kinds of Chinese literature, such as Chinese heroic fiction, Song ci, Yuan qu and so on. No wonder there is no Chinese has won Noble Literature Prize ever. It is because the literal translation cannot convey the original idea. Therefore, I believe we should teach foreigners Chinese before we teach the literature. Fortunately, increasing foreigners are learning Chinese now, and I think Chinese poetry will have more reader in future.
Yes, lost in translation. I agree with you that it`s better to learn the language and in the process understand the literature than to read translated versions. Chinese literature would be in the forefront soon as more and more people are learning the Chinese language and one day you will have a Nobel Prize winner for Chinese Literature.
ReplyDeleteThe English edition of Chinese poetry was quite funny I think...Only literal meaning remains. How can western people understand the beauty? Nevertheless, Chinese edition of English poetry may be ridiculous as well. To enjoy the poems, we should study English better to understand the original edition.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, not only poems, proses and some other essays cannot be translate either. There are too many differences between the literatures in different country. I also believe that cultural diversity is a reason why Chinese literature can just be prevalent in a limited area. Hope one day, Chinese literature can be known by more people even if those people cannot totally understand it.
ReplyDeleteIt is weird to read Chinese poems in English versions. What is presented in Chinese poems are abuandant in their literary meaning but not in its literacy. The same also goes for our reading English poems in a Chinese version. This is where cultural gap lies. Thus, to have a good understanging of the literary works is also based on good knowledage of its culture background.:)
ReplyDeletei can not agree with you more. Chnese has its own beauty which can never be replaced by another language.
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