A Comparative Study Of Two English Translations Of San Zi Jing From The Perspective Of Eco-Translatology

San Zi Jing,with short form,pleasing rhythm and profound significance,is a well-known and representative classic among ancient enlightenment children’s books in traditional Chinese society.Its English versions emerge endlessly at home and abroad and English translation study has also been going on.A great number of previous studies have already been done to analyze one translation or compare different translations from various perspectives.However,limited studies are conducted to discuss translating process of translators in terms of ecology.The research objects of this thesis are two representative English translations:Allen Herbert Giles’Elementary Chinese:San Tzu Ching completed in 1900 and Zhao Yanchun’s The Three Word Primer published in 2014.The former is an outstanding version in the 20^th century;the latter is also highly praised since publication.By means of research methods of comparative analysis and textual analysis,the author discusses and evaluates quality of the two chosen versions from the perspective of Eco-translatology proposed by Chinese scholar Hu Gengshen.The research mainly focuses on the following three aspects.First,through comparing inner and outer environment of the two translators,selective adaptations to their specific translational eco-environment are elaborated.Second,combined with the analysis of some typical examples,translators’adaptive selections from linguistic,cultural and communicative dimensions are discussed respectively.Third,the degree of holistic adaptation and selection of two versions is assessed in line with evaluation criteria of Eco-translatology.Results manifest the following points.The two translators both perform their own adaptations and selections at different dimensions.In linguistic and cultural dimensions,Zhao’s version is better than Giles’.They are both successful in communicative dimension.Based on the evaluation criteria of Eco-translatology,Zhao’s version has a higher degree of holistic adaptation and selection than Giles’.This study conducts a comparative analysis on two English versions of San Zi Jing from the perspective of Eco-translatology and has theory and practice significance.For one thing,eco-translatological theory provides a new angle for English translation study of San Zi Jing and also verifies its strong explanation and guidance for related studies,which stimulates the enthusiasm of Chinese scholars in constructing original translation theories.For another,Chinese translators have the massive advantages in foreign translation of traditional Chinese classics.Strong cultural awareness translators possess can significantly facilitate promoting out-translation of Chinese classics to develop vigorously.