英文摘要 |
This is a preliminary study of Soong Tsung-faung's (or Song Chunfang in today's spelling) complete work of translation of European drama into Chinese. Among the twenty plays which he was involved with the translation work, he was the sole translator of sixteen and co-worked or edited the other four. Some of these texts had not been collected in his three volumes of On Theatre and had hence been forgotten. This paper tries to re-examine them in their original form of publication. The contextualization of their original appearances in periodicals helps us understand more of Soong's intention and methods behind his translation and introduction of these European dramas to the Chinese readers. By consulting the catalogue of his personal library, the Comora, we are also able to determine some of the originals he used for his translation. The paper is divided into three main parts: the first recounts Soong's educational background and his journey towards professorship in drama in modern China. He familiarized himself with up-to-date innovations of Western drama and theatre during the years he spent in Europe. The second analyses two lists of modern plays which Soong provided for the Chinese intelligentsia for consideration of translation. The third then categorizes the twenty translations by Soong and discusses the motives, strategies and original sources of these texts. In light of the new findings in all three parts, we may enhance our understanding of Soong's contribution to the development of modern Chinese drama. |