A brief analysis of the English translation of Zhu Chunshen's "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond" from the perspective of translation standards Moonlight over the Lotus Pond Zhu Chunshen

Abstract: It is not easy to achieve both physical and spiritual similarity in translation. Mr. Zhu Chunshen used many common, flexible and expressive small words in the English translation of "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond", and used various translation techniques and rhetorical techniques to pursue the artistic conception and beauty reflected in the original text in terms of overall effect. , striving to be as close as possible to the original text of Mr. Zhu Ziqing, thus reproducing the fresh and natural style of the original text. This article summarizes the representative theories of translation standards in China and the West, and analyzes the English translation of Mr. Zhu Chunshen's "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond" from this perspective, explaining how the translation meets the translation standards at all levels, and ultimately successfully reproduces the content, form and style of the original text. It is intended to inspire translation practice.

Keywords: Translation standards "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond" English translation

Translation is an important bridge for cultural exchanges. What kind of translation is considered standard? Chinese and Western translators have never stopped exploring translation standards. Yan Fu put forward the saying of "three difficulties in translation: faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance" during the reform period; while traditional Western translation uses equivalence and equivalence as the standard, such as Eugene Nida's translation principles.

"Moonlight over the Lotus Pond" written by Mr. Zhu Ziqing is one of the modern classic proses. Its fresh and natural language style and writing technique of using happy scenes to describe sadness show the unique charm of this prose. Many domestic translators have translated it into English in the hope that more foreign readers can appreciate Mr. Zhu's beautiful writing. Among the many English translations, Mr. Zhu Chunshen’s translation stands out.

The language of Mr. Zhu Chunshen’s translation is accurate, vivid and natural. In terms of conveying the original message, it is just right and conforms to the language habits of the translation. There is no "difference in different language habits that reveals any trace of stiffness and far-fetchedness" (Mr. Qian Zhongshu) language). His translations reflect translation standards at different levels such as content, form and style. This article intends to briefly analyze the English translation of Mr. Zhu's "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond" from the perspective of translation standards.

1. Introduction to translation standards

Translation standards refer to the principles that translators follow during translation practice and are also the principles that translation critics must follow when criticizing the translation. The real establishment of translation standards should be promoted by Tytler's "Three Principles of Translation" in the West, while in China it is Yan Fu's "faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance".

1.1 Chinese translation standards

Translators in different periods hold different views on translation standards. Ancient Buddhist scripture translators Zhi Qian and Dao'an advocated literal translation, while Kumarajiva advocated free translation. In the late Qing Dynasty, Yan Fu proposed the translation standards of "faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance". Contemporary translator Zhang Peiji advocated "faithfulness and smoothness". Lin Yutang in "On Translation" "Faithfulness, smoothness, and beauty" are put forward in the book. The translator Fu Lei pointed out that "in terms of effect, translation should be like painting, focusing on spiritual similarity rather than physical similarity." Translator Mr. Qian Zhongshu pointed out: "Translate the work from one place to another." When a Chinese language is converted into another country's language, it can neither reveal any traces of rigidity due to differences in language habits, but also completely preserve the original flavor. "No matter what translation ideas the translator advocates, the purpose is the same. In order to achieve maximum equivalence between the source language and the target language, cultural exchanges can be achieved.

1.2 Western translation standards

The core of Western translation theory is the discussion of the nature and standards of translation. The discussion basically revolves around literal translation and free translation, faithfulness and unfaithfulness, accuracy and inaccuracy. theme unfolds. Traditional Western translation takes equivalence and equivalence as the standard, such as Eugene Nida's translation principles. He believes that translation is a language communication act. The translator should try his best to convey the meaning of the original text to the reader and achieve dynamic equivalence. Recently, Similar natural equivalent.

Rice’s functionalist linguistics goes beyond the equivalence criterion. Newmark proposed that different texts should have different evaluation criteria based on Rice's text types, and opposed the simple univariate criterion of equivalence. Vermeer and Nord further developed the theory of functional linguistics and gradually formed the school of teleology, which believes that translation is not only a language issue, but also a cross-cultural action. Lefevere inherited the polysystem theory and believed that translation is governed by the translator's ideology and the dominant poetics in the target society, and is closely related to factors such as power, politics, patrons, and target culture. In this In a sense, translation has become a manipulation and rewriting of the original text. Therefore, we cannot only advocate fidelity.

1.3 Summary of Translation Standards

In translation, the absolute standard of translation is actually the original work itself, and absolute standards can never be reached. Whether it is "faithfulness, expressiveness, elegance", "loyalty", or "spiritual similarity", "transformation", "equivalence" or "diversity", what is pursued is approximation to the original work, regardless of content, form or style. In the process of translating Chinese into authentic and smooth English, it is not only required that the translation be equivalent in form to the original text, but also be consistent in ideological, artistic, and aesthetic conception.

In short, both Chinese and Western translation standards strive to reproduce the content, form and style of the original text on the basis of a full understanding of the original text, to achieve the greatest possible approximation.

2. Translation standards are reflected in the English translation of Zhu Chunshen's "Moonlight Over the Lotus Pond"

Mr. Zhu Chunshen's translation Moonlight Over the Lotus Pond ("Moonlight Over the Lotus Pond") expresses the art of the original text In terms of artistic conception and ideological aspects, it not only achieves "faithfulness, expressiveness and clarity", but also achieves "transformation", making readers feel that they are appreciating the original prose.

2.1 Accurate understanding of the original text

Accurate understanding of the original text is the starting point and the only basis for translation. Translate accurately while remaining true to the original text.

2.1.1 Accurate grasp of the tone of the original text

In the first paragraph of the article, the author expresses his feelings directly, saying "I feel quite uneasy these days." "Quite unquiet" is the reason for going to see the lotus pond under the moon, and it also sets the emotional tone for the whole story. Zhu Chunshen used "quite upset", and "upset" refers to upset and uneasiness. The great ups and downs of emotions are consistent with the "quite restless" state of mind. The word "Upset" is concise and the tone is on point.

2.1.2 Correct understanding of the logic of the original text

The article describes the lotus pond: "On the winding lotus pond, you can see the leaves of the fields. The leaves have high water flow, like "Tingting Dancer's Skirt." Although it is a sentence, Mr. Zhu Chunshen discovered the inner connection between the sentences and translated the two sentences into one sentence, "All over this winding stretch of water." It is just right. In addition, Zhu Chunshen used "what meets the eye" to translate "Mi Wang's" with a sense of movement, which fully reflects that everything in front of him was what the author saw when he was "pacing slowly". The translation is accurate. ,vivid.

2.1.3 Appropriate handling of details in the original text

Zhu Chunshen used the word "shrug on" for the word "put on" in "I quietly put on my coat and took it to the door and went out" , Zhu Ziqing went out for a walk at night because he was afraid of the cold, so he casually put on a big shirt. This translation is better than "put on".

2.2 Reproduce the content of the original text

2.2.1 Vocabulary level

The original text’s words are simple and dynamic, and the choice of modifying words is unique. For example: "The moonlight is like flowing water, quietly pouring on this leaf and flower." Although the original text uses the word "Xie", the previous word "quietly" cannot be ignored; overall, the original text depicts It is a picture of tranquility. Zhu Chunshen translated the word "shed" as "shed". This word means "pour out" and is followed by "silently", which faithfully reproduces the artistic conception of the original text "moonlight pours down quietly".