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How Translations of Ancient Texts Enables or Prevents Understanding: A Case Study of Translations of Daodejing
- 1 University of Glasgow
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Abstract
Given that the vast majority of readers cannot read an ancient text in its original language, translations may be their only source of understanding the meanings of the texts. While letting readers steal glances at the beauty of ancient knowledge, sometimes translations in fact prevent readers from interpreting the text correctly. This paper discusses a case of three different translations of Daodejing in detail. Based on a theoretical framework of the “correct” or “proper” interpretation of the text, the translations are evaluated accordingly. Two conclusions are drawn from a detailed etymological study that give rise to the best translation of the three. Firstly, interpreting the text in its original cultural context automatically prefers some modern interpretations over the others. Secondly, the problem is not limited to Daodejing. Many similar situations have been documented, and a potential systematic solution has recently been found.
Keywords
Daodejing, translation, recontexualization
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Cite this article
Liang,K. (2023). How Translations of Ancient Texts Enables or Prevents Understanding: A Case Study of Translations of Daodejing. Communications in Humanities Research,19,9-14.
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Volume title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies
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