Peer Reviewed Open Access

This paper is reviewed in accordance with the Peer Review Program of IRA Academico Research

A Comparative Analysis of Liu Bei's Image in the English Versions of Sanguo Yanyi: A Perspective on Poetry Translation

Zan Xu, Juan Wang
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21013/jems.v19.n4.p1
Abstract
Sanguo Yanyi, a Chinese classical historical novel, contains a total of 207 poems. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the portrayal of Liu Bei in the English translations of the novel from the perspective of poetry translation. By examining the translations by Brewitt-Taylor and Moss Roberts, we aim to explore the nuances and variations in Liu Bei's image as portrayed in the poems. Selected examples are analyzed to highlight Liu Bei's image characteristics, including his adeptness, benevolent nature, and ambitious demeanor. The translations are compared in terms of their focus on readability versus fidelity to the original text. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interpretation and representation of Liu Bei's character in English-language adaptations of Sanguo Yanyi, shedding light on the challenges and possibilities of poetry translation in a historical and cultural context.
Keywords
Sanguo Yanyi; Liu Bei's image; Brewitt-Taylor; Moss Roberts; Poetry translation
Full Text:
PDF
References

Dong, X.罗慕士英译《三国演义》风格之探析——以邓罗译本为对比参照 [An analysis of the style of Moss Roberts' English translation of Sanguo Yanyi: A comparative reference to Brewitt-Taylor's translation]. Chinese Translators Journal,2016,37(04):93-99. Available online:http://kns-cnki-net-s.atrust.yangtzeu.edu.cn:8080/kcms2/article/abstract?v=3uoqIhG8C44YLTlOAiTRKibYlV5Vjs7iAEhECQAQ9aTiC5BjCgn0RmD7o5cdQMMTmgc_Iq7QBu1LJjQBkZMfLhnVkMibg0ik&uniplatform=NZKPT

Wang, Y. 刘备形象的演变及其文化意蕴 [The evolution of Liu Bei's image and its cultural implication]. Shaanxi University of Technology 2014. Available online: http://kns-cnki-net-s.atrust.yangtzeu.edu.cn:8080/kcms2/article/abstract?v=3uoqIhG8C475KOm_zrgu4lQARvep2SAk9z9MrcM-rOU4mSkGl_LWf_VnhwtzHoQEc-ABG39so3cPr8f9gbAN2RQnXrKP7DdH&uniplatform=NZKPT

Du, X. M. 浅析许渊冲的“三美论”在古诗词汉译英中的运用 [A brief analysis of the application of Xu Yuanchong's "Three Beauties" in the Chinese-English translation of ancient poetry]. Sinogram Culture, 2023(06):163-165. DOI:10.14014/j.cnki.cn11-2597/g2.2023.06.059. Available online: http://kns-cnki-net-s.atrust.yangtzeu.edu.cn:8080/kcms2/article/abstract?v=3uoqIhG8C44YLTlOAiTRKibYlV5Vjs7ioT0BO4yQ4m_mOgeS2ml3UBX2_dnWZLZnfCumu6qH4mGQmDPZPwRzO6FiYWtKvxFb&uniplatform=NZKPT

Zhu, Y. S. 翻译艺术与求美之道——兼析许渊冲文学翻译“三美”论 [The Art of Translation and the Pursuit of Beauty: On Xu Yuanchong's "Three Beauties Theory" in Literary Translation]. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching, 2023(01): 96-104+147. DOI:10.13458/j.cnki.flatt.004912. Availableonline: http://kns-cnki-net-s.atrust.yangtzeu.edu.cn:8080/kcms2/article/abstract?v=3uoqIhG8C44YLTlOAiTRKibYlV5Vjs7ioT0BO4yQ4m_mOgeS2ml3UBYTF76fFjFGhSNDuJMgywJPh3qmmM1fNNrjSGLR9nsd&uniplatform=NZKPT

Brewitt-Taylor, C. H., &Luo, Kuan-chung. (1925). Translation, San Kuo, or Romance of the Three Kingdoms. An English version of San Kuo Chih Yen-i. Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh. Available online:https://sc.panda321.com/#v=onepage&q=San%20Kuo%2C%20or%20Romance%20of%20the%20Three%20Kingdoms&f=false


©IRA Academico Research & its authors
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. This article can be used for non-commercial purposes. Mentioning of the publication source is mandatory while referring this article in any future works.