Comparing the quality of Chinese and English translations of Japanese text through studying two notable pieces of Japanese literature and their translations.

Public project summary

This research project aims to identify and analyze the different or similar problems involved in translating literary Japanese text to Chinese and English. To do so, two notable pieces of Japanese literature – Izu no Odoriko (The Dancing Girl of Izu) by Yasunari Kawabata and Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami – are selected as the subjects of the research. Specific passages from both books will then be selected and compared between the original text and the available versions of translations based on factors such as accuracy and the preservation of style. The result of this research project is expected to provide insight into effective ways of translating Japanese to Chinese and English.