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Frontiers in Educational Research, 2023, 6(20); doi: 10.25236/FER.2023.062009.

An Analysis of Zhu Chunshen’s English Translation of Moonlight over the Lotus Pond from the Perspective of Thematic Structure

Author(s)

Manli Bai

Corresponding Author:
Manli Bai
Affiliation(s)

Guangzhou Xinhua University, Guangzhou, 510000, China

Abstract

The prose, Moonlight over the Lotus Pond, a masterpiece by Zhu Ziqing, a famous modern Chinese writer, is a classic among the classics. Over the years, different English translations of the prose have been produced and numerous studies on these translations have been conducted. This paper attempts to analyze the English translation by Zhu Chunshen[1] (1992) from the perspective of thematic structure, since thematic structure is of vital importance in organizing the message and influencing the audience. By analyzing the thematic organization of the original prose and Zhu Chunshen’s translation, the author tries to present the idea that translators should choose the Theme of the text carefully and arrange clauses appropriately so as to express the original thematic meaning as much as possible.

Keywords

Moonlight over the Lotus Pond, Zhu Chunshen’s English translation, Thematic structure, Theme-Rheme, Thematic progression, English-Chinese translation, Translation teaching

Cite This Paper

Manli Bai. An Analysis of Zhu Chunshen’s English Translation of Moonlight over the Lotus Pond from the Perspective of Thematic Structure. Frontiers in Educational Research (2023) Vol. 6, Issue 20: 56-61. https://doi.org/10.25236/FER.2023.062009.

References

[1] Zhu Chunshen (tr) (1992). Moonlight Over the Lotus Pond, Zhu Ziqing, Translated with notes by Zhu Chunshen. Chinese Translation No. 1, PP. 59-60. 

[2] Wang Jiaosheng (tr) (1985). Moonlight over the Lotus Pond. English-speaking World No. 5, PP. 13-17. 

[3] Goldblatt H. (tr) (1995). The Moonlit Lotus Pond. In Joseph S. M. Lau & Howard Goldblatt (eds.). The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Literature. New York: Columbia University Press. 

[4] Yang Xianyi, Dai Naidie (tr) (1999). Moonlight over the Lotus Pond. English Study No. 5, PP. 6-8. 

[5] Li Ming (2006). Translation Criticism and Appreciation. Wuhan: Wuhan University Press. 

[6] Yang Yulan (2008). On the artistic reproduction of aesthetic effects in prose translation-- Take the English translation of Moonlight over the Lotus Pond as an example. Journal of Sichuan Foreign Language University No. 6, PP. 102-104. 

[7] Cui Dongjie (2022). A comparative study of the English translation of Moonlight over the Lotus Pond from the perspective of translation aesthetics. Jin Gu Wen Chuang No. 13, PP. 117-119. 

[8] Thompson G (2008). Introducing Functional Grammar. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press. 

[9] Li Yunxing (2022). Application of the theme concept in translation research. Foreign Language and Foreign Language Teaching No. 7, PP. 19-56. 

[10] Xiao Yunru (1961). Loose in form, but not in essence. People’s Daily May 12th. 

[11] Li Zhi (1998).An Analysis of Mr. Zhu Chunshen’s translation of Moonlight over the Lotus Pond. Chinese Translation No. 4, pp. 32-36.