Abstract:

Yi（逸）is a core concept in Chinese aesthetics, from which the two-character expressions like piaoyi（飘逸) and qingyi（清逸）, and four-character expressions like xiaosapiaoyi（潇洒飘逸）are derived, thus forming a word family based on yi. On the basis of previous studies of yi, the paper first sums up its calligraphic meaning, and then with Chinese Calligraphy, the English version of Zhong Guo Shu Fa Yi Shu（《中国书法艺术》）as the case, discusses the translation of the yi-related expressions. The analysis shows that in light of the target readers and their limited cognition of Chinese calligraphy, the translator of Zhong Guo Shu Fa Yi Shu adopts a reader-oriented strategy and employs methods appropriate for the target readers, thus producing a group of expressions that corresponds approximately to the yi-related expressions. The suggestion for improvement is that the subtle differences between the expressions within the same word family, the complementary and derogatory meanings, and the deeper aesthetic meanings of these expressions should also be represented in the translation. For the rich cultural connotations embodied in the concept of yi, there is obviously no English equivalent for it, and the expediency is to adopt the method of amplification to make up for the loss of its cultural connotations.

Keywords: Chinese calligraphy; aesthetic criticism; yi-related expressions; translation

摘要：

“逸”是中国书法审美的核心范畴之一。由“逸”衍生出“飘逸”“清逸”等二字格词语及“潇洒飘逸”等四字格词语,构成一个“逸”的词群谱系。本文基于“逸”的研究成果,梳理“逸”的基本书法美学含义,总结归纳《中国书法艺术》英译本Chinese Calligraphy中逸字词群的翻译策略及方法,并提出建议。分析表明,译者根据译文目标读者对中国书法的认知水平,采取了让步于译文读者习惯的策略及相应的意译、省译等方法,以一组表达相近意义的英语词群再现了逸字词语的审美意义。译者选词中还应注意同一语义场内相近审美概念间阴阳美的差异、褒贬义及深层审美内涵的传译等。

关键词: 中国书法, 审美评述, 逸字词语, 翻译