Capturing the Flow of Culture: A Case Study of the English Translations of Li Bai’s Changgan Xing

Abstract

Translation can be regarded as a communicative process involving three distinct objectives: the original author, the translator, and the reader of the translated text. Each objective situated in different times and spaces. In any communication process, the first and most essential step is to leave a strong impression on the target audience. In the process of translation, the best way to leave a good impression on the reader is by improving the “quality” of the translated text itself which is the core product of the process. Many translation theories are already presented in academic circles, including but clearly not limited to Pound’s theory of image poem translation, which regards translation with poems. The concept discussed in this paper also focuses but not limited to poems’ translation. Chinese traditional poetry in Tang dynasty is a gem of China’s rich and brilliant cultural legacy. Translating poetry in Tang dynasty into English helps foster a deeper understanding of China’s cultural traditions in the Western world and tell Chinese stories. Li Bai, one of the greatest poets of the Tang dynasty, authored “Changgan Xing”, one of his most representative works. A case study on the English translation of “Changgan Xing” illustrates the importance of “luminous details”, for not merely poems’ translation, but also other forms. This article proposes a practical approach to improving the “quality” of translations: emphasizing the translator’s subjectivity and adding “creative, luminous details” to the translated text. If these details demonstrate high-level translation skills, they can enhance the overall impression of the translation in the reader’s mind, contributing to more effective cultural interaction and communication.