On Translation of Classical Chinese Poetry Under the “Three Beauties” Principle

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Abstract：Classical Chinese Poetry, terse and abundant in underlying meanings, is a crystallization of Chinese culture, serving as the important channel for the rest of the world get to know Chinese culture. As a result,poem translation is gaining importance. However, as poetry translation differs greatly from general translation, it is necessary to come up with criteria as to how to evaluate a poem. Mr. Xu Yuanchong, on the basis of the“Three Beauty Theory”of Lu Xun,came up with the principle of“Three beauties”, including the beauty of sense, sound and form, which becomes a socially recognized criterion.

Key words:“Three beauties”Theory; classical chinese poetry; translation

1.“Three Beauties” theory in translation of classical Chinese poetry

The theory consists of three parts, the beauty of sense, the beauty of sound and the beauty of form.

Concerning beauty of sense, according to Mr. Xu in Art of Translation (2006), the beauty of sense means to convey the correct meaning of the original poem, no addition, elimination or alternation (P.73).

The beauty of sound suggests that the translation version should be rhymed, smooth and musical (P.76). The most noticeable feature of classical poetry is rhyme and rhythm, both for classical Chinese poetry and classical English poetry.

The beauty of form is related to the length and symmetry of the poetry (P.78).

2.Case study of two English versions of “嫦娥”

2.1 Two English versions of the poem

The original poem:

嫦娥

云母屏风烛影深，长河渐落晓星沉。

嫦娥应悔偷灵药，碧海青天夜夜心。

English versions:

Version 1:

The lady in the moon

Behind the mica screen, in shadows deep, a candle flickers.

The Milky Way has faded, and the Morning Star decline.

Chang E① must regret having stolen the magic elixir—

In that blue Ocean of a sky: endless thoughts, night after night.

—100 Tang Poems

Version 2:

To the Moon Goddess②

Upon the marble screen the candle-light is winking,

The Milky Way is slanting and morning stars sinking.

You’d regret to have stolen the miraculous potion,

Night after night you brood o’er the celestial ocean.

Xu, Y. C. Trans.

—A New Translation of 300 Tang Poems

2.2Analysis of the three versions

2.2.1Beauty in sense

The widely accepted understanding of this poem is that the poet employs the image of Chang E to express his upset and frustration as the poet lived in the late Tang dynasty when the court is dark and corrupt.