This book examines the development of English-translated Tang poetry and its propagation to the Western world. It consists of two parts, the first of which addresses the initial stage of English-translated Tang poetry's propagation, and the second exploring its further development. By analyzing the historical background and characteristics of these two stages, the book traces the trend back to its roots, discusses some well-known early sinologists and their contributions, and familiarizes readers with the general course of Tang poetry's development. In addition, it presents the translated versions of many Tang poems.
The dissemination of Tang poetry to the Western world is a significant event in the history of cross-cultural communication. From the simple imitation of poetic techniques to the acceptance and identification of key poetic concepts, the Tang poetry translators gradually constructed a classic "Chinese style" in modern American poetry. Hence, the traditional Chinese culture represented by Tang poetry spread more widely in the English-speaking world, producing a more lasting impact on societies and cultures outside China - and demonstrating the poetry's ability to transcend the boundaries of time, region, nationality and culture.
Due to different cultural backgrounds, the Tang poets or poems admired most by Western readers may not necessarily receive high acclaim in China. Sometimes language barriers and cultural differences make it impossible to represent certain allusions or cultural and ethnic concepts correctly during the translation process. However, in recent decades, the translation of Tang poetry has evolved considerably in both quantity and quality. As culture is manifested in language, and language is part of culture, the translation of Tang poetry has allowed Western scholars to gain an unprecedented understanding of China and Chinese culture.
Acknowledgements.- Foreword.- An overview of the history background.- Research on the early significant texts.- British Sinologist Herbert A. Giles and his contributions.- Other early Sinologist and their outstanding contributions.- British poet Launcelot A. Cranmer-brng and Tang poetry.- The British sinologist and poet Arthur Waley.- British diplomat William J. B. Fletcher.- The propagation of Tang poetry in the west: historical background and characteristics of its developing stage.- American adaptation of Tang poetry translations from Europe.- Tang poetry in classical Chinese Poetry anthologies.- Ezra Pound's Cathay and the trabslation of Tang poetry to the west.- The beginning studies on Chinese poetic theories.- Fir-flower tablets and its authors.- Contributions by Chinese-American scholars.- Development after the 1950S.- Conclusion.- Bibliography.
