培根《论读书》与《红字》美学比较 (Week 8)

• The text is a study on the aesthetic comparison of seven translated versions of Francis Bacon's essay "Of Studies" and Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter", in Chinese.
• It explores the similarities and differences in translation styles, word choices, and overall aesthetic qualities.

Introduction

• The author argues that translators, like writers, are inevitably influenced by the prevailing conditions of their time, leading to similarities in their work.
• The study aims to differentiate between unintentional similarities, unacknowledged imitation, and superficial resemblances in translations where no imitation exists.

Context

• The analysis focuses on seven different Chinese translations of Bacon's essay "Of Studies," a well-regarded piece of the 17th century English literature.
• It also discusses six translations on Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter."
• The study operates under no specific direction, focusing on comparing the traits of the translations.

Bacon's "Of Studies" Translations

• The essay "Of Studies" is examined through its seven translations, focusing on a specific passage to analyze differences in interpretation and style.
• Key themes in this passage: Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability.
• The uses of studies are for: privateness and retiring, discourse, judgment and disposition of business.
• Expert men can execute, but learned men provide general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs.
• Spending too much time in studies is sloth; using them too much for ornament is affectation; making judgment wholly by their rules is a scholar's humor.
• Studies perfect nature, and are perfected by experience.
• Natural abilities require study, and studies need experience to be bounded.
• Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire studies, and wise men use them.
• Studies do not teach their own use; wisdom beyond and above them is won by observation.
• Read not to contradict, nor to believe, nor to find talk, but to weigh and consider.
• Some books are to be tasted, others swallowed, and some few chewed and digested.
• Some books are to be read in parts, others not curiously, and some wholly, with diligence.
• Some books may be read by deputy, with extracts made by others, but only in less important arguments.
• Distilled books are like distilled waters: flashy things.
• Reading makes a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.

Comparison of Translations

• To understand the relationship between similarity and imitation across translations from similar eras, comparative analysis is conducted.
• Analyzes a 1958 translation, noting its strengths in reflecting the original text while also identifying stylistic issues related to word usage (such as "底" and "的").
• It highlights the challenge and rarity of creating original translations without relying on previous works.
• A comparison is then made with a translation from 23 years later, examining differences in diction and expression.
• Notes that both translations display similarities in their understanding of the original text which also contributes to similarities in expression.
• Further contrasts are drawn between translations from the same year, observing variations in style and word choice with certain phrases recurring across different versions.
• Mentions that those well-versed in a trade look down on reading and studying indicating their belief that it does not have practical.
• One commonality is highlighted: One translation used "唯聪明者善于运用学问", while another used, "唯有明智之士善于运用学问".
• Another comparison of translations focuses on key phrases like "读书使人的头脑充实，讨论使人明辨是非，作笔记则能使知识精确" in a 1983 translation and its similarities with an earlier translation of the same passage.
• The study then contrasts translations from the same era but different regions, focusing on a translation by Liang Shiqiu in 1985.
• It compares Liang Shiqiu's version with a mainland translation from the same period (1983), noting both distinctiveness and resemblance.
• The analysis observes a trend of convergence as mainlanders translate a 1996 version in the similar style of previous mainland translations
• The differences that are observed between the different translations from the mainland are also attributed to thought.

The Scarlet Letter Translations

• The passage relates to different translators having different ways of relating languages for the Scarlet Letter.
• It concludes by emphasizing the importance of creating translations that demonstrate an era while still being the product of the translators