Wushu, also known as martial arts, is one of the typical demonstrations of traditional Chinese culture. It is not only a sporting exercise but also an artistic form. The main function of Wushu is building up a sound form and meanwhile some illnesses are expected to be cured in the process.
The origin can be traced back to the primitive society where wild animals outnumbered the human beings and the living condition was fairly adverse. The ancient people adopted the primitive defending skills such as beating, kicking, attacking, jumping, leaping, etc. to fend themselves. Gradually, they learned how to make weapons out of stone or wood tools and later on developed the hunting and fighting skills with bare hands and apparatus. That is the initial stage of Wushu.
Wushu origins from China, but belongs to the world. It is the essence of Chinese culture, whose profound connotations are increasingly recognized and accepted by the people all over the world. Therefore, in order to promote the further communications between Chinese culture and the outer world, Wushu terms translation is of primary significance.
Many scholars have done relevant researches about Wushu terms translation; however, the existing deficiency and mistranslation in the Wushu terms translation have hindered the process of Wushu’s modernization and internationalization to a certain extent.
Table of Contents
Chapter One Introduction
1.1 Research Background
1.2 The Significance of the Research
1.3 Outline of the Thesis
Chapter Two Literature Review
2.1 Data Collection and Research Methodology
2.2 Studies of Wushu Terms and Difficulties in Wushu Terms Translation
2.3 Existing Problems in the Studies
Chapter Three An Overview of Wushu and Wushu Terms Translation
3.1 A Brief Introduction of Wushu and Wushu Terms
3.1.1 The Definition of Chinese Wushu
3.1.2 History and Evolution of Wushu
3.1.3 The Role of Wushu
3.1.4 The Importance of Translating Wushu Terms
3.2 The Functions of Wushu
3.3 The Features of Wushu Terms
3.3.1 Visualization
3.3.2 Concision
3.3.3 Descriptiveness
3.3.4 Dynamic Qualities
3.4 Different Types of Wushu Terms
3.4.1 Terms Involving Natural Phenomenon
3.4.2 Terms Involving Weapons
3.4.3 Terms Displaying Pure Action
3.4.4 Terms Involving Visualized Images
3.4.4.1 Borrowing
3.4.4.2 Mimicking Human Actions
3.4.4.3 Mimicking Motions of Animals
3.5 The Limitations in Previous Studies of Wushu Terms Translation
Chapter Four Theoretical Framework—Skopostheorie
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Representatives of Skopos Theory
4.3 Basic Concepts of Skopos Theory
4.3.1 Skopos
4.3.2 Translation Brief
4.3.3 Adequacy and Equivalence
4.3.4 The Role of Text Classifications
4.4 Rules of Skopos Theory
4.4.1 Skopos Rule
4.4.2 The Coherence Rule
4.4.3 The Fidelity Rule
Chapter Five The Application of Skopos Theory to Wushu Terms Translation
5.1 Translating Wushu Terms with a “Skopos”
5.1.1 Addressee
5.1.2 Communicative Situation
5.1.3 Translator and Initiator
5.1.4 Source-Text Producer, Target-Text Receiver and Target-Text User
5.2 Translation Guided by the Theory of Text Type
5.2.1 Informative Type
5.2.2 Expressive Type
5.3 The Principles of Wushu Terms Translation
5.3.1 Acceptability
5.3.2 Preservation of the Characteristics of Chinese Culture
5.3.3 Transmitting Information
5.4 Wushu Terms Translation Strategies
5.5 Methods Commonly Adopted in Wushu Terms Translation
5.5.1 Transliteration
5.5.2 Literal Translation
5.5.3 Combination of Transliteration and Literal Translation
5.5.4 Interpretive Translation
5.5.5 Free Translation
5.5.6 Borrowing
5.6 Difficulties in Translating Wushu Terms
5.6.1 Few References
5.6.2 Translators’ Deficiency in Translating Competence
5.6.3 Cultural Factors
Chapter Six Conclusion
6.1 Major Findings and Conclusion
6.2 Limitations & Suggestions for Further Study
Research Objectives and Focus
The primary research objective is to analyze the translation of Wushu terms through the lens of Skopostheorie, aiming to overcome the limitations of previous translation efforts and improve the international communication of Chinese martial arts by addressing cultural and linguistic challenges.
- Application of functional translation theory (Skopostheorie) to martial arts terminology.
- Evaluation of translation strategies including transliteration, literal translation, and interpretive methods.
- Examination of cultural factors and the role of text types in translation quality.
- Identification of difficulties caused by inconsistent terminology and lack of standardized resources.
- Proposing a systematic framework to enhance accuracy and reader acceptability in the global dissemination of Wushu.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3.4 Dynamic Qualities
For the purpose of depicting movements, Wushu terms embody great dynamic qualities. Instead of being static as words should be, these terms are always dynamic in the word choice and arrangements of different terms. In “双峰贯耳” (strike the ears of the opponent with both fists), the reader can feel the speed of the movements just by reading the words. It brings the movements of striking the ears as if it is happening in front of the reader. For those who want to learn, one can grasp them from these dynamic pictures with no difficulty.
Wushu terms of course have other characteristics. They look like a poem which provides us with a mental picture taking us to various historical periods and places; the most important thing is that they are meaningful to every Wushu lover. It is these terms that lead beginners to know about Wushu and serve as a guide to help learners to master this art as well.
Due to the characteristics of Wushu terms, there exist diverse views on how to correctly and properly translate them into English. The principal view is that since Wushu is the reflection of Chinese culture, everything related to Chinese culture should be kept while translating and only by doing so can Chinese culture be introduced and maintained. Thus when translating a Wushu term containing something particular to Chinese culture, the translators would just keep it intact such as in the case of “手挥琵琶” into “playing the pipa”. English readers do not understand the meaning of pipa and may think of it as the size of a piano or violin and the most terrible thing is that not knowing the shape of pipa means not being familiar with the way of practicing it, which leads to the inappropriate translations. Actually, three steps are included in this single action: first, move the foot forward and straighten the arms; second, sit back and raise the hands; and then, pose an empty step and the hands meet. By doing this, the translator did introduce to the world those things exclusively belong to China, but the effect is really doubtful.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One Introduction: Outlines the research background of Wushu term translation and emphasizes the significant role of standardized terminology in the international spread of Chinese martial arts.
Chapter Two Literature Review: Provides a methodological overview and identifies existing research gaps in the studies of Wushu terminology and translation difficulties.
Chapter Three An Overview of Wushu and Wushu Terms Translation: Analyzes the history, unique cultural features, and varied classifications of Wushu terms, highlighting their visual and descriptive nature.
Chapter Four Theoretical Framework—Skopostheorie: Introduces the functional approach of Skopostheorie, detailing its core concepts and translation rules as a guide for specialized terminology.
Chapter Five The Application of Skopos Theory to Wushu Terms Translation: Examines practical translation strategies through the lens of text type and cultural principles, proposing solutions for common translation challenges.
Chapter Six Conclusion: Synthesizes the major findings and offers suggestions for future studies, stressing the necessity of a function-based approach for professional Wushu translation.
Keywords
Wushu, terms translation, skopostheorie, translation strategy, cultural communication, Chinese culture, martial arts, terminology, Skopostheorie application, translation quality, linguistic equivalence, functionalist approach, terminology standardization, intercultural communication, descriptive translation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research?
The research focuses on the translation of Wushu (martial arts) terminology from Chinese into English, exploring how to effectively convey unique cultural and technical meanings to an international audience.
What are the primary areas of concern in Wushu translation?
The main challenges involve preserving cultural nuances, managing the lack of standardized translation criteria, the technical complexity of martial arts movements, and ensuring terminology is understandable for non-Chinese readers.
What is the ultimate goal of the research?
The aim is to provide a functional, systematic guide for translators that prioritizes the target reader's understanding while accurately maintaining the spirit and technical essence of Chinese Wushu.
Which theoretical model is employed in this study?
The author utilizes Skopostheorie (Skopos theory), a functional translation theory that argues translation strategies should be determined by the specific purpose or 'skopos' of the target text.
What topics are explored in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the history and features of Wushu, the theoretical framework of Skopos theory, an analysis of different types of Wushu terms, and a discussion of translation strategies such as transliteration and literal translation.
How are the key terms associated with this work categorized?
The work focuses on terminology, cultural transmission, and translation methodology, emphasizing the need for a balance between maintaining Chinese cultural identity and ensuring accessibility for global users.
How does the author propose dealing with culturally specific terms like "Pipa"?
The author argues against blind literalism, suggesting that if a cultural reference (like a musical instrument) confuses the reader, translators should prioritize explaining the underlying movement or meaning to achieve the translation's purpose.
Why does the research emphasize the "Skopos" of a translation?
The author contends that since a single Wushu term can be used in diverse contexts (e.g., academic study vs. practical training), the intended purpose of the text must dictate the strategy, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Citar trabajo
- Xiujuan Wang (Autor), 2015, On the Translation of Wushu Terms: From the Perspective of Skopostheorie, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/306162
