On the Construction of China’s Image in D.C.Lau’s Translation of Tao Te Ching

Abstract

Imagology is concerned with how identity and image are gradually formed, spread, strengthened and even shaped in a specific social and historical space. Translation is one of the important means and carriers of image construction and shaping. As a classic work of Taoism, Tao Te Ching contains infinite images of China. The English version of Tao Te Ching, translated by Chinese Sinologist D. C. Lau, is among the top 10 best-sellers on Amazon in the United States and has been widely praised by readers. D. C. Lau’s English translation of Tao Te Ching introduced Chinese Taoism to the West, and at the same time constructed an objective and true image of ancient China. Taking the English version of Tao Te Ching translated by D. C. Lau as an example, this paper analyzes the construction of China’s image in the English translation of Chinese classics from the perspective of Imagology on the level of intrinsic textual analysis. It is found that D.C. Lau’s translation constructed objective and true China’s image. Through his translation, a relatively serious, solemn and orthodox Chinese image, the ancient Chinese people’s wise image, ancient Chinese image of filial piety and fraternal kindness as well as the image of eagerness of peace and pursuit of harmonious and equal relationship between countries were re-presented.