An Alternative Approach to the Translation of Poems in Political Texts: Take Xi Jinping: The Governance of China as an example

Abstract

Chinese poetry translation is currently dominated by the rhymed translations of poetry represented by Xu Yuanchong and the unrhymed translations of poetry represented by Weng Xianliang. Both of these poetry translation methods have provided us with valuable practical experience. However, volumes 1 to 3 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, as authoritative interpretations of Chinese wisdom, Chinese plans, and Chinese theories, contain a large number of ancient Chinese poems. However, in the English version of the three volumes, the English translations of the relevant verses do not copy the existing translations, of famous translators, but instead, use the paraphrasing method to render these verses. By collecting representative verses on different topics and comparing the similarities and differences between translators’ translations of the same poems in the three volumes, the author summarizes the different paths of poetry translation, explores the feasibility and merits of the paraphrasing method as the main path of translating poetry in political texts, and provides a practical basis for promoting the paraphrasing method of poetry translation.