Analysis of two English versions of thetranslation of Deng Gao from the perspect

Content schemata can be explained as the prior knowledge of the cultural, social, religious, political, economic background relevant to the source text. If the interpreter has stored broader content schemata, he will gain a keen insight into the original text. Otherwise, his translation is most likely to make no sense. Take two English versions of the last line in Deng Gao as an example:

艰难苦恨繁霜鬓，潦倒新停浊酒杯。

With troubles vexed and trials sore

My locks are daily growing hoar:

Till Time, before whose step I pine, -

Set down this failing cup of wine.

(translated by Fletcher)

Living in times so hard, at frosted hair I pine;

Cast down by poverty, I have to give up wine.

(translated by Xu Yuanchong)

As for the translation of“潦倒”, Fletcher and Xu Yuanchong gave their own explanations.“潦倒” originally means depression, but the reason why the poet felt depressed was unrevealed .Thus, the activation of content schemata of the translator will exert an impact on the interpretation. Fletcher thinks of depression as the poet’s sentiments about elapsed time. Xu Yuanchong comprehends that poverty frustrated the poet. In accord with the background of the poem, at that time, the poet suffered from a destitute life and unfulfilled political ambition gloomed the poet. Xu has an in-depth knowledge about the context. By stimulating his content schemata pertinent to the poem, Xu gathers all the relevant background information for attaining a closest understanding of the source text. Therefore, the translation of “潦倒” as “ Cast down by poverty” keeps faithful to the source text. Regarding the English translation of the first line of DengGao, there is another example:

风急天高猿啸哀，渚清沙白鸟飞回。

The wind so fresh, the sky so high Awake the gibbons’ wailing cry.

The isles clear-cut, the sand so white

Arrest the wheeling sea-gulls’ flight.

(translated by Fletcher 1929)

The wind so swift, the sky so wide, apes wail and cry;

Water so clear and beach so white, birds wheel and fly.

(translated by Xu Yuanchong)

In English, “高” means “ high”, so Fletcher literally chooses the equivalent word “high”. Nevertheless, in line with the context, it is inclined that “高” has its extended meaning. This poem was produced on Double Ninth Festival- a traditional Chinese festival in autumn when people go out to climb a mountain. As the poet climbs to a height, a higher location will facilitate a broader vision. The poet uses the Chinese character “高” to depict a picture of vast and boundless sky, expressing his gloominess of drifting life and no sense of belonging. “High” merely describes that sky is far away from us. Xu has retained broader content schemata than Fletcher and takes the accurate word “wide”. Meanwhile, “wide” indicates that the poet is just like a homeless wandering cloud in the boundless sky.