3。2。1   True Disposition 8

3。3。3   Confucius—Master of Humor 8

4 The Relation between Lin Yutang’s Translation and his View of

    Confucius and Confucianism 10

4。1 Lin Yutang’s Choice of Original Texts 10

4。2 Lin’s Translation of Philosophy of Confucius in The life of Confucius 11

Conclusion 14

Acknowledgements 15

References 16

1 Introduction

1。1 Research Background

Nowadays, soft power becomes an important indicator of national powers。 How to spread Chinese culture has been a hot topic in current academic circles。 Confucianism, as the core ideas of Chinese people, is still going to shape our national conduct of affairs。 论文网

Lin Yutang, a renowned scholar who was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature, works as an interpreter of traditional Chinese culture to the western world by writing and translating about China。 His works such as Moment in Peking, My country and My People and Six Chapters of a Floating Life introduced the real China and achieved great success in western countries。 One of the most important reasons for Lin Yutang’s success in spreading Chinese traditional culture is his unique view of Confucius and Confucianism which helps to shape Confucius as a human rather than a saint。

For some reasons, Lin’s studies did not receive due attention until the 1980s。 Few people studied on his view of Confucius and Confucianism from his translation。 Therefore, in order to study Lin Yutang’s success examples in translating Chinese classics, it is necessary to explore Lin Yutang’s translation strategies and his own view of Confucius and Confucianism。 

1。2 Purpose of the Study

One important mission to spread Chinese culture is to implement the “going out” strategy。 Because of Lin Yutang’s success in spreading Chinese culture, it can be concluded that there is something unique about Lin’s translation。 Lin’s translation reflects his view of Confucius and Confucianism, which in return affects his choice of translation strategy。 This paper endeavors to analyze the interrelationship between Lin’s translation strategies and his view of Confucius and Confucianism。 Thus, this paper is an inspiration not only for the interpretation of Chinese classical works but also for the culture “going out”。文献综述

1。3 Significance of the Study

According to 2012 China’s national image report, the top 5 Chinese culture symbols loved by Western people are pandas, the Great Wall, Jackie Chan, food and the Palace Museum。 It is not difficult to come to a conclusion that those Chinese culture symbols still remain on the surface。 Culture symbols with typical Chinese cultural inspirations, thoughts and spiritual contents have not been accepted by overseas people especially by people in developed countries。 In the age of globalization, it is necessary to attach importance to Chinese-English translation, which will help foreign readers to know more about China。 Confucius has maintained a supremacy over the Chinese nation for two thousand and five hundred years and continues to exert enormous influence on the Chinese people, both in their way of thinking and behavior。 Although the influence of Confucius is extended to East Asia, to Europe and to the better part of the globe, it does not achieve its due respect over the world。 Many foreign people still have misunderstanding to both Confucius and to China。 Lin Yutang’s magnum opus opens a window for the English-speaking public to better understand the great Chinese nation。 In The Wisdom of Confucius, Lin Yutang tries to break the stereotyped impression of both Confucius and Chinese people。 Apart from that, Lin’s translation theory, ideology and life philosophy can also be applied to account for his success in spreading traditional culture。