略评翁显良、许渊冲的古诗英译理论

A Comparison of Weng Xianliang's and Xu Yuanchong's Theories on Translating Classic Chinese Poetry into English

在古诗英译方面,许渊冲、翁显良是两个大家。韵体派代表许渊冲的"三美"理论立志高远,但容易因韵害意、以形害意;散体派代表翁显良抛开韵律和形式的束缚,专注于意象的传达,显得更为现实可行。

In the field of classic Chinese poetry translation into English, Xu Yuanzhong and Weng Xianliang are two great masters. Xu, as a representative of the school of rhyming, advocated that a poetic translation should be as beautiful as the original in sense, in sound and if possible, in form. This approach aims at a lofty ideal that is not easily attainable, and in such a translation, the sense is likely to be harmed by the beauty of sound and form. Weng, on the other hand, advocated casting away the restraints by rhymes and form in poetry translation and concentrating on the conveying of images. Weng's approach is more feasible.