Reinterpreting The Wén-Zhì Debate in the Education of Translation History with special reference to Sutra Translator Xuan Zang in Tang Dynasty

Authors : Manyuan Hua, Xianfa Hua

Pages : 97-105

Doi:10.17275/per.15.07.2.1

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Publication Date : 2015-04-30

Article Type : Research

Abstract :The present-day widespread adoption of the interpretation of the Wén 文(refined or elegant style)-Zhì 质 (unhewn or plain style) Debate in Chinese sutra translation has meant that such an interpretation is only one of methods of or approaches to sutra translation both in sutra translation studies and in the education of Chinese translation history. This paper argues that it is necessary for researchers in general and teachers in particular to have a clear understanding of the traditional Chinese poetics behind and the implication of this debate. The analysis identifies a number of issues of the Wén-Zhì Debate such as its origin, source and implication from a historical perspective and clarifies the strong influence of functional poectics upon sutra translation as well as sutra translators. With special reference to Xuan Zang as a good example who well actualized the concept of "To be a good sutra translator means to be a good man” in sutra translation in Tang Dynasty, the paper concludes with suggestions for reinterpreting the Wén-Zhì Debate both in sutra translation studies and in the education of Chinese translation history by taking into account the influence of the Chinese traditional poetics as well as the ethical aspect of the translator.
Keywords : the Wén-Zhì Debate, sutra translation, reinterpretating, traditional poetics, Xuan Zang