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The Aesthetic Choice of David Hinton’s Translation of Classical Chinese Rivers-and-Mountains Poetry

Author(s)

Gao Yuan*, Xu Guangxian

Affiliation(s)

School of Humanity and Law, Fuzhou Technology and Business University, Fuzhou, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

David Hinton’s Sinology research and poetry translation work have made significant contributions to the dissemination of Chinese classical rivers-and-mountains poetry in the English speaking countries. Its aesthetic orientation and stylistic characteristics are mainly reflected in respecting and reproducing the exotic nature of the original poem, using contemporary English expression and poetic features, and translating unfamiliar poetry. These characteristics make his translation more contemporary in world literature, balancing fidelity and acceptability, successfully attracting the interest of English audiences and gaining recognition from peers. By integrating the artistic characteristics of rivers-and-mountains poetry and contemporary English poetry, Hinton has enhanced the ecological discourse power of rivers-and-mountains poetry and added new literary forms to Western ecological culture and art. This indicates that the cross-cultural dissemination of traditional ethnic culture needs to be elucidated and retranslated from a contemporary perspective to enhance its modernity, form new discourse with positive significance, and promote the exchange and cross development of Eastern and Western civilizations.

Keywords

David Hinton; Chinese Classical Rivers-and-Mountains Poetry; Translation; Aesthetic Choice

References

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