It is my pleasure to present the works I like and to take the first step on the journey of translation. I have to express my thankfulness to my instructor Prof. Sabina Knight. Her encouragement when I first shared my ideas on translation with her supports me to design my whole project. Her professional advice on poetry translation helped me improve a lot and realize what it means to conduct the work of translation.
When I was translating the works, I realized that my understanding toward the original text has improved. This makes sense—when I was trying to find the corresponding expression in another language, I have to figure out what the original text actually means in Chinese. Sometimes, because we are so used to our first language, we understand texts in our first language with ambiguity that is based merely on a faint “sense.” We might get the general idea, but ignore the more detailed part that makes an interpretation precise. When I was translating, the “sense” did not work anymore. You should be precise, to be responsible to the original text and the curious audiences.
The other interesting finding I found through translating, or reviewing, the works is: although time has changed, some imagery and ideas keeps appearing in both the classics and contemporary works. For instance, “sword” which represents justice and strength appears both in Xi Qiji’s work, “To Please Your Divinity,” and “A Sword Dyed by the Spring Water” in similiar ways to present integrity. Also, the concept of Dao, coming from Chinese traditional thinking of Daoism, is explained in the “Classic of Qing and Jing,” and mentioned in the “A Sword Dyed by the Spring Water.” Witnessing how the past and present come across each other is the most pleasant experience that I got from translating.
Ending my project, I would like to thank every audience for spending time reading this "translated anthology." Thank you for making my works reach more people, and hope that they have touched your heart at some points, as they have touched mine.
Amy
12/17/2022 23:30
Northampton, MA, the United States