On the English Translation of Tang Poetry under the “Harmony-Guided Three-Level Poetry Translation Criteria”-A Case Study of “Farewell to Uncle Yun, Imperial Librarian, At Xie Tiao Pavilion in Xuancheng”

Abstract

As Tang poetry is one of the quintessences of Chinese literature, this article adopts Dr. Wang Feng’s “Harmony-Guided Three-Level Poetry Translation Criteria” as a guide to analyze twelve English versions of Li Bai’s “Farewell to Uncle Yun, Imperial Librarian, at Xie Tiao Pavilion in Xuancheng” by Witter Bynner, Lancelot Granmer-Byng, John Scott, Innes Herdan, Sun Dayu, Wang Yushu, Soame Jenyns, Xu Yuanchong, Zhang Bingxing, Gong Jinghao, Xie Yanming and Wang Fulin. After analysis and comparison of the twelve English translations, it finds that the translation of Tang poetry should convey the poetic and artistic beauty under the guidance of “Harmony-Guided Three-Level poetry translation criteria” to blaze abroad classical Chinese culture.