Chu culture-related romanticism and shamanism in Zhuangzi: A translation perspective

Peihang  Li; Chuanmao Tian

doi:10.59400/cf1913

Peihang Li School of Foreign Studies, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, China
Chuanmao Tian School of Foreign Studies, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, China

Article ID: 1913

17 Views, 5 PDF Downloads

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/cf1913

Keywords: Chu culture; Zhuangzi; romanticism; shamanism; translation

Abstract

Zhuangzi is a representative philosophical classic of Chu culture, which contains many Chu cultural elements. This article selects some Chu culture-specific items, such as Kun 鲲, Peng 鹏, Wu Zhu 巫祝, Shenwu Jixian 神巫季咸, and Wu Xianshao 巫咸袑 from Zhuangzi to explore the romanticism and shamanism in the canon from the perspective of Chu culture, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their rendering in the translations of the canon by sinologists such as James Legge, Herbert Giles, and Burton Watson. A new translation is proposed for them in this study to promote the cross-cultural dissemination of Chu culture.

References

[1]Appiah KA. Thick Translation. Callaloo. 1993; 16(4): 808–819.

[2]Wang F. On Zhuangzi’s Freedom: A Philosophical Interpretation of Zhuangzi (Chinese). Hebei Journal. 2009; (6): 39–36.

[3]Wang C. Qu Yuan’s Spiritual Journey and Zhuangzi’s “Xiaoyao you” (Chinese). Journal of Harbin College. 2008; 29(11): 75–79.

[4]Zhao Y. On Romantic Color in the “Xioayao you” and “Li sao” (Chinese). Journal of Keshan Teachers College. 2003; (4): 69–70.

[5]Yin Y, Dan F. Features and Influences of Chu Culture (Chinese). Journal of Jilin University (Social Sciences). 2001; (2): 93–97.

[6]Jiang Z. Types of Fables in Zhuangzi (Chinese). Journal of Hunan Normal College. 1999; (1): 43–45.

[7]Wu H. Images and Semantic Representation in the Fables of Zhuangzi [MA Thesis]. Central China Normal University; 2006.

[8]Liu X. Translation and Dissemination of the Kunpeng Story in Zhuangzi in the English-speaking World [MA Thesis]. Beijing International Studies University; 2017.

[9]Guo Q. Collected Annotations of Zhuangzi. China Books Company; 2004.

[10]Wang X, Liu W. A Collection of Commentaries on Zhuangzi. China Books Company; 1999.

[11]Touitou E. Rashi’s Commentary on Genesis 1–6 in the Context of Judeo-Christian Controversy. Hebrew Union College Annual. 1990; 61: 159–183.

[12]Yu X. On Several Issues in the English Translation of the “Xiaoyao you” (Chinese). Collected Papers of Social Sciences. 2021; 42(4): 196–204.

[13]Legge J. The Texts of Taoism 2 Vols. In: Muller M (editors). Sacred Books of the East Series Vols. 39–40. Oxford University Press; 1891.

[14]Watson B. Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings. Columbia University Press; 1964.

[15]Chen G. Contemporary Commentaries and Translations of Zhuangzi. Commercial Press; 1983.

[16]Yao W. Research on the Cuisine and Clothes in the State of Chu. Hubei Education Press; 2012.

[17]Duan Y. Notes on the Shuo Wen Jie Zi. Shanghai Ancient Books Press; 1981.

[18]Al-Rawi A. The Rukh and the Influence of Chinese Mythology. International Communication of Chinese Culture. 2015; 2(3): 223–233.

[19]Guo C. Translation and Interpretation of the Inner Fables of Zhuangzi in the English-speaking World [PhD Dissertation]. Beijing Foreign Studies University; 2015.

[20]Geng H. Divination and Psychology of the Chu People (Chinese). Scientific and Technical Information (Academic Research). 2007; (24): 100–101.

[21]Lin Q, Zhang X. Research on Shamanic Culture in the “Jiu ge” (Chinese). Journal of Zhongzhou University. 2016; (6): 6–11.

[22]Huang K. On the Influence of Chu Wu Culture on Chinese Civilization (Chinese). Yangtze River Forum. 2020; (4): 93–96.

[23]Zhu C. Study on the Relationship between Chu Wu Culture and Early Taoism [MA Thesis]. Central China Normal University; 2019.

[24]Zhang Z. Wu, Taoism, Saoism and Art (Chinese). Art Research. 1992; (2): 110–120.

[25]Liu Y, Jia J. A Brief Introduction to the Rituals and Customs of the Chu Sacrifice (Chinese). Ethnic Studies. 1997; (3): 81–91.

[26]Gu J. The Chu Ci and the Divination of the Chu People (Chinese). Vocational College Journal. 2007; (3): 27–28.

[27]Haviland WA. Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge, 10th ed. Shanghai Social Sciences Press; 2016.

[28]Xu K. Jing Chu Sacrificial Rituals from Qu Yuan’s Nine Songs (Chinese). Journal of Kaifeng Culture and Art Vocational College. 2021; 41(5): 29–30.

[29]Sukhu G. The Songs of Chu: An Ancient Anthology of Works by Qu Yuan and Others. Columbia University Press; 2017.

[30]Se Y. Shamanism and Divination Practices of Northern Minorities Shamanism and Divination Practices of Northern Minorities (Chinese). Studies of the Western Regions. 2001; (2): 93–95.

[31]Waley A. The Nine Songs. A Study of Shamanism in Ancient China. George Allen & Unwin, Ltd; 1995.

[32]Se Y. On Shamanic Rituals (Chinese). Journal of Inner Mongolia University (Philosophy and Social Science). 1993; (1): 87–95.

[33]Feng C. A Study of the Chu “Wu” in the Medical Literature (Chinese). Jianghan Forum. 2009; (12): 81–84.

[34]Meng H. Archaeology and Shamanism (Chinese). Northern Heritage. 2002; (1): 54–59.

[35]Kuang G, Ma X. This “Wu” is Not “Witch”: The English Translation of the Cultural Symbol ‘Wu’ in ‘The Nine Songs’ of the Chu Ci (Chinese). Eastern Translation. 2015; (5): 82–86.

[36]Jia X. Exploring Shamanic Roles in Zhuangzi (Chinese). Academic Forum. 2010; (11): 75–79.

[37]Liang D. Information Reduction in the English Translation of the Culture-specific Words of Zhuangzi (Chinese). Shanghai Journal of Translators. 2020; (4): 78–82.

[38]Xuan Y. An Interpretation of the Nanhua jing. Shanghai Ancient Books Press; 1995.

[39]Ma X. Semantic Verification of Zhuangzi. Shanghai Books Company; 1996.