Two tools were used in the translation process: Han Dian and Pleco. Translation tools play a crucial role in this process. Although we have some foundational knowledge of Classical Chinese, it remains insufficient to fully interpret every word in context, as the meanings of words in the past often differ from their contemporary usage.
Han Dian (漢典) is a comprehensive online Chinese dictionary primarily focused on Classical Chinese. It offers a detailed collection of words, phrases, and characters from ancient texts, providing explanations of their meanings, usage, and historical context. Han Dian covers a wide range of classical Chinese, from ancient literature works to historical contexts, which enables translators to get the meaning of difficult words in classical Chinese essays.
The dictionary also includes character breakdowns, offering insights into the etymology, radical composition, and historical forms of characters. With support for both Simplified and Traditional Chinese characters, along with Pinyin for pronunciation, Han Dian ensures accessibility across different writing systems. Additionally, it provides contextual explanations, helping users understand the evolution and usage of words in various historical and literary contexts.
Pleco is a widely recognized and highly regarded Chinese-English dictionary app, commonly used by both language learners and professionals. It offers detailed definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences for both Simplified and Traditional Chinese characters. For translation purposes, Pleco provides accurate English equivalents based on the original Chinese texts. When facing challenges in understanding or translating texts, Pleco offers helpful insights and suggestions, making it an invaluable tool for translating and comprehending Chinese content effectively.