Master Xu emphasizes free translation, so English poetry gives full play to the characteristics of English poetry and highlights the traditional charm of English poetry, instead of being too rigid in the format and wording of Chinese poetry. After reading one song after another, I feel that his translation level and English level are really high, which is quite enlightening. But I have different views on Jiang Xue's translation. The original poem and its English translation are as follows:
There are no birds flying over those mountains, and there are no traces of people in those paths.
A boat on the river, a fisherman wearing his webworm moth; Fishing alone is not afraid of snow and ice.
From this mountain to that mountain, there are no birds flying;
From this road to that road, no one can be seen.
A lonely fisherman floats,
It's a lone boat fishing for snow.
Personally, there seems to be something wrong with the last two sentences of the poem, such as "fishing for snow" Is it hard to understand? "Fishing for snowflakes?" That's how I understand it. Maybe it's a little difficult to choose words and die hard!
I am personally engaged in English documentary writing (such as news, industry analysis articles and reports), not translation. In my opinion, I think the translation omits the "bitter hat" and "Weng" with China characteristics mentioned in China's poems. Therefore, the following English translation may not be beautiful, but it adds some details:
You can't see birds from one mountain to another.
There are vague footprints from path to path.
A small boat straddles the snowy lake.
A gray beard fishing in a bamboo hat and palm leather cloak.
If there were bricks flying, I would have expected them. Welcome to criticize and discuss!
###