A Study on the Translation Aesthetics in Cathay based on Pound’s Translation Theory of Recreation

Abstract

This article expounds on Ezra Pound’s translation anthology, Cathay by elaborating how he recreated classic Chinese poetry in modern English with his own translation aesthetics and theory. As both translation practice and recreation, Cathay exerts profound impact on global literatures and translations, conveying enlightenment to cultural exchanges between different civilizations. Based on Pound’s translation theory, this article intends to unfold the aesthetics in Cathay including the beauty of exotic oriental culture, emotions that travels across time and space, and concise imagery through his recreation of connotations, themes, and text forms. Distinguishing from the precedents, Pound has made breakthroughs in the translation process, form, and criteria, valuing the translator’s subjectivity. Nowadays, as overseas Chinese learners are increasingly keen in the Chinese culture, Pound’s re-conceptualization of translation and cultural understanding can serve as rich references to cross-cultural exchanges and mutual learnings.