古典散文 (Week 8)

• These are study notes about classical Chinese prose and translation, specifically focusing on the work Zuiweng Ting Ji (亭记).
• The notes also cover the art of translation and interpretation of classical Chinese texts.

On Translation

• A Western interpretation of "laodao" (潦倒) is provided, which can be used as a reference for translators.
• All three translations are deemed excellent.
• The ability to translate poetry well starts with a deep understanding
• Poetry may not have definitive interpretations, but it can be understood and translated.
• Knowing the essence of the text is more difficult. This requires research and understanding the poet's intent to avoid additions or alterations.
• A good translation may be a good poem, but as a replication of the original, it may be a bad translation.
• It's admirable to see "four beauties" in translated works; it's not essential to match the original perfectly, but to grasp the essence of a text.

Classical Prose

• Classical prose should be concise and refined; words should be simple, clear, reliable, and universally understood.
• Zuiweng Ting Ji exemplifies conciseness and refinement in classical prose.

Youji 游记 (Travelogue)

• From a literary perspective, youji is a subcategory of prose, belonging to descriptive prose.
• From a cultural perspective, youji embodies cultural spirit, reflecting a writer's cultural background.
• A comprehensive review of a youji reveals its regional, temporal, intellectual, and aesthetic characteristics.
• Xu Xiake Youji regarded as excellent youji literature.

Ouyang Xiu and Zuiweng Ting Ji

• Ouyang Xiu was not only skilled in analytical writing but also known for his ji (记)-style writing.
• The aesthetic features of this style are: similar to fu (赋) but not extravagant, like argumentation but not constant, resembling preface but without praise, comparable to stele inscriptions but without eulogy.
• He excelled in narration, description, argumentation, and expression of emotion, using a smooth and tactful style to create many excellent works in the ji format.
• Zuiweng Ting Ji's reputation stems from its distinction from both purely descriptive works and mixed essays.
• The essay excels in generating emotion from emptiness, using virtual strokes and ethereal language; the word "ye" (也) is used throughout.
• The frequent use of "ye" in the essay is unparalleled.
• Structurally, Zuiweng Ting Ji combines parallel and free-flowing prose with variations within order.
• It focuses on spirit and style, with simple and fluent language.
• The language is economical and refined, describing the four seasons concisely and in detail, demonstrating a high degree of precision.

Herbert A. Giles's Translation

• The essay was translated by Herbert A. Giles and included in his History of Chinese Literature.
• Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang also translated it, including it in their Poetry and Prose of the Tang and Song.
• Both translations are considered excellent but have differences due to varying aesthetic appreciation.
• This comparison analyzes the translations section by section, highlighting differences in interpretation.

Comparing Translations

• "The district of Chu is entirely surrounded by hills..."
• The original text's description of the hills around Chu highlights both their prominence and the unique style of the writing
• An anecdote about its writing praises its brevity.
• Zhu Xi noted the original draft had several lines that became "entirely surrounded by hills of Chu" (环滁皆山也).
• In this line "clothed" is not as accurate as "enclosed"
• The phrase "琅琊" as in Shandong, is a mistake by the Western translator who is not familiar with Chinese geography. This slight error leads to vast differences.
• The phrase of the translated version that praised wandered seems to bring with it unnecessary context as well.
• "A walk of two or three miles on those hills..." translated versions have distinct differences.
• The original text ("行", "闻", "泻") indicates walking; "渐" suggests nearing the spring; "泻" brings to life the sight and sound of the spring.

The Word 也

• It's critical to be aware of how the word "ye" is used.
• Two translations compared
• Rounding a bend you see or While hard by in a nook.
• Use of the words 翼然, creates imagery of the pavilion as high and overlooking the mountain in its form.

Comparing different styles

• Not only does the character create an image of the building, but it creates a sense of movement as if a bird is flapping its wing.
• The translation with spread roof captures the pavilion so well.
• The two versions are different but achieve a great measure of success

Comparison of 醉翁之意不在酒,在乎山水之间也。

• This is a development from drinking little and an intro to scenery writing.
• Translators should grasp the meaning.

More points

• In Zuiweng's mind its all about the scenery and beauty.
• There may have been a separation of the two ideas. One for drinking and another for the environment.
• Some translators can capture each aspect.

More on translating poetry

• From sun to dusk in Zuiweng the mountain
• The writing focused almost entirely on a the landscape.

Analysis of selected phrases.

• From 日出而林靠开,云归而岩穴暝 the use of different characters creates imagery. This phrase from the translated Sun's ray peeping is missing something. Instead the writing creates an aura of feeling.

Analysis of the word 乐

• The piece is held together by the character for La. The most relevant part of reading and understanding is the readers feeling

More on character usage

• The essay contains sentences with great imagery. There is great joy in the pieces writing and words.

Analysis on imagery

• 至于负者歌于途,行者休于树，前者呼，后者应”
• Written with great feeling, and expression
• One translation had a more natural feel instead. It's also in line for what was appropriate for the time.

Reviewing select excerpts

• Of translations In different forms
• Is it natural looking. It's a style of writing that helps define an era.

Comparing texts

• As rivers cross and paths take different ways, all should exist

Comparing the text with works by two authors

• The character for 隐 helps hold the passage in place.

Review the 至于负者歌于途,行者休于树，前者呼，后者应 phrase

• Review of the scene/nature. Create as many emotions and expressions as possible. Every translator should to this with a degree of skill.

Analysis

• 至于负者歌于途,行者休于树，前者呼，后者应,伛偻提携，往来而不绝者；滁人游也。临溪而渔，溪深而鱼肥。酿泉为酒，泉香而酒冽。山肴野蔌，杂然而前陈者，太守宴也。宴酣之乐，非丝非竹。射者中，弈者胜，觥筹交错，起坐而喧哗者，众宾欢也。苍颜白发，颓然乎其间者，太守醉也。