Retranslation Of Classical Chinese Literature

Deconstructionist theorists argue that the original text is dependent upon the translation and a text survives through a proliferation of translations. A translation illuminates and elaborates upon the original and it effectively becomes the afterlife of a text, a new"original"in another language. Meaning is created by the reader in the act of reading. A reader's background, e.g. his beliefs, knowledge, attitudes and so on, is fed into his processing of texts, so that any act of reading will to some extent reflect the reader's own mental and cultural outlook. Indeterminacy is inherent in every act of reading, and will inevitably affect translation, since a translator is, first of all, a reader. Translations of one and the same source language text by different translators also display quite different translation strategies, resulting in quite different translation products. All these factors justify the emergence of retranslations for the one and same text.Thousands of years of Chinese civilization have produced a uniquely rich Chinese literature. Classical Chinese literature lives its many afterlives in its translations. Translations and retranslations of classical texts are produced over time to suit new readers, their interpretations, and their needs. These translations have played an important part in enhancing westerners'understanding of China. Through classical Chinese literature, westerners have an opportunity to appreciate Chinese literary works and gain insight into Chinese culture.