On The Translation Strategies Of Reduplicative Words In Ci-poems By Li Qingzhao Based On Xu Yuanchong’s "Three Beauties Theory"

This paper aims at making a tentative study of the translation strategies of reduplicativewords in the ci-poems composed by Li Qingzhao based on Xu Yuanchong’s theory of “beauty insense, sound and form” for the translation of the poetry. By comparing different translationversions the author tries to summarize the translation strategies of reduplicative words in herci-poems and check whether those methods are appropriately used in certain conditions in additionto pointing out some areas for improvement so as to provide the west readers with superiortranslation versions.As one of the most outstanding female ci-poets in China, Li Qingzhao holds a very importantposition in the history of Chinese literature. The way she composed ci-poetry was imitated bynumerous late comers for its uniqueness in wording and impressiveness in structuring. Amongmany manifested features of her ci-poems, one of them is the use of reduplicative words. It is nothard to find the trace of reduplication in half of the45ci-poems left definitely by her. To presentthe west readers with a high-qualified version of Li’s works, the translators should know how toemploy the familiar translation strategies of reduplicative words in ci-poems appropriately.In this paper, some representative English versions of ci-poems by Li Qingzhao are listed outand put under careful examination from the perspective of aesthetical equivalence in terms ofsense, sound and form so as to see which version conveys the most possible literal and connotativemeanings of reduplicative words while reserving the original form and sound, what translationstrategies should be employed in translating certain kinds of reduplicative words. At the same time,method of induction is also used to summarize as many strategies as possible for the purpose ofproviding some references for related study in this field.This paper contains four parts. The first part is about a brief introduction of the significanceof this paper as well as some problems existing in the translation of reduplicative words in the ci-poems created by Li Qingzhao. Then next is the main body which mainly examines the featuresof reduplicative words and shares some basic information about the Three Beauties Theory, theaim of which is to make readers have a better knowledge of the theoretical basis of this thesis.After reading this part, the readers can have a clear knowledge of the theoretical basis of this essay.Yet the focus is put on the translation methods of reduplicative words in Li’s ci-poems by famoustranslators. Those methods include repetition and free translation among many others. In addition,the Three Beauties Theory is applied as a theoretical support to test the feasibility of thosestrategies. The final part of this paper draws a conclusion of the achievement already made anddrawbacks yet to be approved in addition to enlightening suggestions and references for futureresearches in relevant fields.