Readability Analysis Of Burton Watson's English Version Of The Tso Chuan

The Tso Chuan, as a Chinese historical and literary classic, has been under investigation by various generations of scholars home and abroad. The studies and translations of The Tso Chuan in western countries have reflected the different trends and perspectives of the pertinent fields. To analyze translations of The Tso Chuan will promote the study of this classic work and the introduction of it to the western world, which will definitely enhance cultural exchange and communication. A descriptive comparison and systematic study on translations of The Tso Chuan interpreted with Polysystem theory will demonstrate actual features of each rendition, objective and strategy of each translator and the different functions of each translated work in the target system. It is significant in theory and practice in that it will help better explain of translation activities. This paper is going to adopt the Polysystem theory to explain the differences between Burton Watson's translation of The Tso Chuan and James Legge's to reveal the tecnhics to realize readability in Watson's work, as well as its practical gain and loss. The interpretive potential of Polystystem theory in translation analysis is also demonstrated. This research aims to promote the study on English translation of Chinese classics and the development of translation criticism.