|Generate QR code
Open Access
Subscription Access
Zhu Shenghao as a translator of Shakespeare
https://doi.org/10.31425/0042-8795-2020-4-204-216
Abstract
The article gives an account of life and work of Zhu Shenghao (1912–1944), primarily known for his translation of the complete works of Shakespeare, the first and one of the most influential Shakespeare editions in the Chinese language. Between 1938 and 1944, he managed to translate 31 and a half plays out of the 37 plays in the First Folio. His translation, still widely acclaimed today, grants elegance to its language and musical cadence to its prosaic style and contains poetic processing in typical scenes according to Chinese lyrical traditions. Besides, Zhu Shenghao is celebrated as a cultural hero for his effort in presenting Shakespeare’s dramatic works in a brilliant translation at a critical time when China was in urgent need of learning about the Western world. According to poly-system theory, it is fully illustrated in Zhu’s case that translation does play a significant part in shaping China’s modern cultural consciousness.
About the Author
Zhu Xiaolin
Minzu University of China
China
China
Zhu Xiaolin philologist
27 Zhang guancun South Av., Haidian district, Beijing, 100081
References
1. Duan Jingli. (2015). A classic study of Zhu Shenghao’s translation of Shakespeare’s play. Hangzhou: Zhejiang University Publishing House. (In Chinese).
2. Fang Quan. (2001). On the translation of Shakespeare and others. Cultural and Educational Materials, 5, p. 53. (In Chinese).
3. Su Fuzong. (2006). A few words following the translation. Beijing: Bookshop Sangliang. (In Chinese).
4. Wang Binxin. (2004). History of Chinese translation studies in the 20th century. Tianjin: Nankai University Publishing House. (In Chinese).
5. Wu Jimin and Zhu Honda. (1990). The biography of Zhu Shenghao. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Learning Publishing House. (In Chinese).
6. Zhu Shenghao. (1947a). Translator’s foreword. In: Zhu Shenghao, ed., The complete works of W. Shakespeare. Plays (3 vols). Vol. 1. Shanghai: World Book Company, pp. 1-5. (In Chinese).
7. Zhu Shenghao. (1947b). Translator’s foreword. In: Zhu Shenghao, ed., The complete works of W. Shakespeare. Plays (3 vols). Vol. 2. Shanghai: World Book Company, pp. 1-5. (In Chinese).
8. Zhu Shenghao. (2013). On reading. In: Zhu Shenghao and Song Qingzhu, eds., Selected poetry by Zhu Shenghao and Song Qingzhu. Beijing: Chinese Youth Publishing House, pp. 39, 104-105, 107-113. (In Chinese).
9. Zhu Shenghao, Song Qingzhu. A soul is in an envelope. (1995). Shanghai: Eastern Publishing. (In Chinese).
10. Zhu Xiaolin. (2017). Remembering Zhu Shenghao, Shakespeare’s translator. Guangming Daily, 18 Jan. (In Chinese).
Review
For citations:
Xiaolin Zh. Zhu Shenghao as a translator of Shakespeare. Voprosy literatury. 2020;(4):204-216. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31425/0042-8795-2020-4-204-216
Views:
723
Email this article 
