英语论文网

4
3.3 The Evolvement of the Discussion about ....45
Chapter 4 Reflections on How to Treat the Chinese Traditional Discourse on Translation........46
Conclusion........49

Chapter 4 Reflections on How to Treat the ChineseTraditional Discourse on Translation

The analysis of the discussion about Wen 文 and Zhi 质 gives us a glimpse ofthe general feature of the Chinese traditional discourse on translation.Western translation theories often give new definitions to terms in order tosolve translation problems and talk about translation issues in well-establishedframeworks. Thus, there are many related terms and definitions as well as clearframeworks. Some theories are based on assumptions and pure reasoning, thus mayhaving limited guidance on translation practice.On the contrary, Chinese traditional discourse on translation, deeply influencedby traditional literary criticism and Chinese philosophy, tends to use existing termsin classic works in the discussion and give them new contents while solving practicaltranslation problems.Some regard such tradition as an evidence to prove that Chinese traditionaldiscourse on translation is loose in framework and thus lack of research value.However, traditional Chinese philosophy gives a possible explanation for thisphenomenon. Laozi said at the beginning of Tao-te-ching 道德经 that “The Way[Tao, 道] that can be spelt out is not the constant Way [Tao, 道] 道可道非常道.The name that can be named is not the constant name 名可名非常名.”Tao, as thekey concept in Taoism, is one of the most important concepts in ancient China.Being so inclusive, it can cover all the things in nature, in the human society andeverything in the world. Due to such inclusiveness, it can never be fully spelt out orbe adequately named. Attempts at explication and at naming, only result in fixing ameaning that cannot be fixed (Cheung 2010:23). The gap between meaning and theexpression of meaning, or between meaning and language, was and still is, believedby many in China. Such a view can also be shared in the translation studies. Someconcepts in the Chinese traditional discourse on translation are so complicated thatany attempts at defining them will only fix their meanings that cannot be fixed.

........

Conclusion

This thesis aims at analyzing the discussion about Wen 文 and Zhi 质 in theChinese sutra translation history by examining the original texts recording thesediscussions, trying to present a comprehensive picture of the discussions in differenthistorical contexts. After detailed analysis of several selected excerpts from historicalmaterials, this thesis makes a brief summary of the discussion about Wen 文 andZhi 质 by clarifying the meanings of Wen 文 and Zhi 质, the translation issuesinvolved in the discussion and how the discussion can contribute to today’s culturalinteraction and translation studies, thus providing some enlightenment on how totreat the Chinese traditional discourse on translation on the whole.
.........
Reference documents (omitted)