1.2 Research Purpose

Through comparative analysis of three English versions of Yu mei ren, this paper is going to discuss Xu Yuanchong’s “Three Beauties” in poetry translation. In order to find out the differences in sense, sound and form, this paper tries to explore highlights and limits in each version, which on the other hand can give a thorough understanding of the original poem. Furthermore, this paper aims at providing readers some the best possible skills in poetry translation.

1.3 Research Approach

 There are three main research approaches applied in this paper, literature search, exemplification and comparative analysis. During the process of preparing the paper, the author of this paper searches a variety of relevant literatures and collects much useful information, which provides a basis for the paper. Besides, exemplification also plays an important role. This paper will employ some concrete examples to explain certain concepts in detail. The widely used approach is comparative analysis. This paper, by comparison, is going to analyze three English versions to figure out the differences among them.

2. Literature Review

Translation doesn’t occur in vacuum. The certain cultural background and the certain period may give rise to a close link between translation and the environment, while some factors may have a determined influence on translated versions. Actually, translation is full of complexity. It doesn’t just mean the action of turning from one language into another, but “an act of creative rewriting” (Bassnet, 2010: 6). As translators, they can hardly take all influential factors into their consideration, and can not get rid of some differences caused by language, custom, and cultural background between the writers and the translators. Although faced with so many difficulties, translators can still convey the original works’ inner spirits with the slightest omitting. When scholars try to translate some works between different cultures and languages, they must obey a set of standards.

2.1 Criteria for Poetry Translation

In the early twentieth century, Yan Fu, a well-known translator, delivered his deep understanding of translation criteria, “faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance”, which had a profound impact on China’s translation. Until today, it is still considered as classical standards for different kinds of translation. And Ling Yutang once mentioned his criteria for translation, “faithfulness, fluency and beauty”. Since 1940s, China’s translation field has witnessed many great translators. Different experts have put forward a variety of standards. Fu Lei gave his standards for translation, “similarity in spirit”; while Qian Zhongshu put forward “sublimation”. Later on, Xu Yuanchong outlined “beauty in sound, form and meaning”, and Liu Zhongde “to be faithful to the content of the original; to be as expressive as the original; to be as close as the original style as possible”. Different criteria, however, may focus on different aspects, and may make different demands in poetry translation.