Dai Naidie’s Translation spirit：A Heart Only Beats For China

姜涛 魏伟 周奕

【Abstract】Through long-terms practice and precipitation， Gladys Yang had a strong interest in literature， encyclopedic knowledge， broad vision and cross-cultural communication. She can directly appreciate and convey the most profound， the most primitive cultural spirit and connotation to China. Gladys Yang obtained its character， its spirit， its integrity from the Chinese classics and also she obtained the essence of freedom and equality from the western culture.

【Key words】Dai Naidie； Translation spirit； Patriotism； Dedication and devotion

1. Translation spirit：Patriotism and self confidence

The translator spirit refers to a kind of consciousness and thinking embodied in the translation process. The spirit of the translator is the important basis of the translation strategies and the choice motivation. Starting in 1930s，Gladys Yang focused on translations， she introduced more than 100 kinds of Chinese Classics to foreign readers， many of the works can be models of translation works. All the things are related to the understanding and love of national culture of her. Doctor Chen Yuan said， “Shes a translator with an utter innocence for the job ever since the twentieth century.” The reason why Chen says “utter innocence” is that Gladys paid almost her later half life to translation career. After graduating from University of Oxford， Gladys gave up the opportunity to work in Harvard University and decided to return to the battlefield of China. Gladys said， “After graduation， I will return to China， and I never doubted.” A reporter who ever interviewed her said， “Gladys heart beats only for China ， including her husband Yang Xianyis， it is two hearts that only beats for China.” In half a century of translation career， Gladys devoted her whole life into the translation of the Chinese tradition and modern literature into English. At the same time， she also introduced many foreign excellent works to China. These excellent works were published in the Chinese literature of English version for nearly 50 years and they once became the ruler and the window of Chinese literature. Besides， self-confidence is also reflected in the practice of Gladys translation. Gladys said， “Translation is a tool to communicate with different nationalities， different regions of the people and their thoughts and feelings can be exchanged which means everything can be translated.” She also dared to translate some of the obscure masterpieces， which no one could translate before. Such kind of confidence and courage is worth learning.

2. “Dedication and devotion” in translation work

Gladys received a Ph. D. degree in literature and history， as well as a major contributor to the translation of Chinese and foreign literature. These achievements and honors are the concrete embodiment of the spirit of professionalism. In the translation of historical works， she always carries on the introduction of the writers and their creation background， to help the readers into the works， which is a rare academic translation habits. In order to make the foreign readers to better understand the connotation of Chinese works， she is always the first to master text， makes it more vivid and lifelike. Her translation of Dream of Red Mansions hit the Chinese literary world at that time and was renowned at home and abroad. Gladys spirit of dedication is also reflected in her indifference to fame and fortune. Someone asked her， “In addition to the salary， do you also receive royalties？” She answered， “I translate works during my office time， I had already got the salary， how could I still take royalties？” For millions of translation words， Gladys said there was nothing left to do， and not to leave anything behind. Before Gladys died， there is no more translation and publication books on the shelf of her home， and its collection of antique calligraphy and painting were all donated to the Imperial Palace. So its no doubt that Gladys is the China version of Prometheus， the sincere patriotism， and her dedication spirit is worth learning for the late generations.

作者简介：

姜涛（1981.12.2-），男，汉族，黑龙江巴彦人，石家庄信息工程职业学院，副教授，教育学硕士，高职教育研究，英语教学研究。

魏伟（1982.2.19-），女，汉族，河北辛集人，石家庄信息工程职业学院，讲师，教育学硕士，高职教育研究，英语教学研究。

周奕（1980.2.29-），女，汉族，河北正定人，石家庄信息工程职业学院，讲师，文学学士，高职教育研究，英语教学研究，中级就业指导师。