A Comparative Study Of Thai Translations Of The Art Of War And The Influence To Thai Society

The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise. It is one of China’s Seven Military Classics including Jiang Ziya (Taigong)’s Six Secret Teachings, The Methods of the Ssu-ma, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, Wu Qi’s Wuzi, Wei Liaozi, Three Strategies of Huang Shigong, Questions and Replies between Tang Taizong and Li Weigong. The Art of War has been the most prominent treatise. It has been translated into many languages. It is considered one of Chinese military treatises that has a vast impact on military strategy and tactics. Nowadays, people use the strategies from the art of war as a reference to areas of business, marketing, management, stock trading, and psychology.After its first appearance in Thailand, the Art of War were incessantly translated, and were published more than60books, making it one of the most popular Chinese treatises. This research is the study of Sathian Veerakun and Theirachai Iamworament’s Thai translated editions of the Art of War, basing on the theories by George Steiner’s Hermeneutics, and Friedrich Schleiermacher’s Domestication and Foreignization. The objective is to study translating methodology used on Chinese cultural terminology.This thesis consists of five chapters as follows:Chapter1:An Introduction explaining the significance, objective, scope and research methodology, theories, including expected results of the research.Chapter2:The Significance of The Art of War and its series of translations; biography of Sun Tzu; background and significance of The Art of War, the translation of The Art of War in Japan and western countries in brief; and the translation of The Art of War history in Thailand.Chapter3:Comparison of Thai-translated editions of The Art of War, introduction of George Steiner’s Hermeneutics, and Friedrich Schleiermacher’s Domestication and Foreignization theories; comparison of methodologies and techniques used for the translation of the Art of War in versions translated by Sathian Veerakun and Theirachai Iamworamet; and the studies on cultural terminology translations. Chapter4:Influence and pattern of dissemination of the Art of War in Thailand, target readers, and Spreadings.Chapter5:Summary, conclusions, discussions, and recommendations.