1.2 Purpose and Significance of the Study

    The thesis attempts to make a comparative study of the English translations by Anne Birrell and Wang Hong from the micro perspective combined with translation thinking. Many scholars who have made a study on translations of Shan Hai Ching usually adopted the linguistic perspective, such as from stylistic, lexical, semantic levels. With the process of cultural persification moving forward, analyzing and improving translations of Shan Hai Ching from other perspective count a lot in Chinese traditional classics translation and contribute a lot to the dissemination of traditional Chinese culture.

    1.3 Framework of the Thesis

    This thesis is composed of four sections literature review, the analysis of the versions of Anne Birrell and Wang Hong, the advantages and disadvantages of the two versions and a conclusion at the end. In the literature review, it covers four smaller parts: precious studies of the English versions of Shan hai Ching (in China and abroad), analysis on precious studies, the translation methods and finally, summary. And in the second part, I’ll compare and analyze the two editions of place terms by Birrell and Wang Hong, the two outstanding interpreters, with their translation methods clarified in the following. Then, I plan to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of the various editions in the next part. In conclusion, there will be a summary, figuring out which one keeps a better function and seeking for a more effective translation for Shan Hai Ching.