Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of <i>The Analects</i>

Shiwei Fu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11

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Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects

Shiwei Fu^*

Published in International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation (Volume 10, Issue 4)

Received: 1 October 2024 Accepted: 17 October 2024 Published: 25 October 2024

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Abstract

The five constant virtues (rén, yì, lǐ, zhì, and xìn) are central to Confucian philosophy and have grown in influence over time, shaping not only traditional moral teachings but also contemporary practices in business management and personal development. However, limited research has explored how these virtues are translated and conceptualized in English versions of The Analects. This study aims to address this gap by examining how the five constant virtues are formed, related, and legitimized across four major English translations, spanning different historical periods. To achieve this, a mixed-methods approach is employed, integrating both qualitative and quantitative analyses. First, a multi-parallel corpus is established, enabling a detailed quantitative examination of how the five constant virtues are expressed across different translations. This analysis highlights variations in the rendering of these key concepts in each text. In parallel, Legitimation Code Theory’s (LCT) constellation analysis is applied for the qualitative component of the study. This approach explores the relationships among the virtues and how translators have conceptualized and structured these interrelations. Results indicate a reduction in variation over time, suggesting a stabilization in how the virtues are conceptualized. While translations consistently represent simpler pairings of virtues, differences emerge when more complex constellations involving all five elements are considered. These findings reveal how philosophical perspectives and temporal contexts shape translation, impacting the way Confucian virtues are legitimized and structured.

Published in	International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11
Page(s)	50-60
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

The Analects, Five Constant Virtues, Constellation, Conceptualization

References

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[3]	Weiming Tu. (1996). Beyond the enlightenment mentality: A Confucian perspective on ethics, migration, and global stewardship. The International Migration Review, 30(1), 58-75. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2547458
[4]	Robert Joseph Wahing (2021). Confucius on the five constant virtues. Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary.
[5]	Uffe Bergeton. (2019). Found (and Lost?) in Translation: Culture in The Analects. Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies, 79(1 & 2), 49–95. Published by Harvard-Yenching Institute. https://doi.org/10.1353/jas.2019.0004
[6]	Xiaojun Zhang & Zhiwei Han. (2024). Interpreting Confucianism in Chinese Philosophical Context with Qualia Structure. Estudios de Traducción, 14, 55-64. https://dx.doi.org/10.5209/estr.92710
[7]	Youlan Tao. (2018). From Monologue to Dialogue: Western Translators’ Perspectives on Translating Key Cultural Concepts in The Analects. Translation Review, 102(1), 46–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/07374836.2018.1515682
[8]	Liwei Yang & Guijun Zhou. (2024). Dissecting The Analects: An NLP-based exploration of semantic similarities and differences across English translations. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11: 50. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02355-w
[9]	Qianfan Zhang. (2010). Humanity or Benevolence? The Interpretation of Confucian Ren and Its Modern Implications. In Taking Confucian Ethics Seriously: Contemporary Theories and Applications (pp. 53–72). State University of New York Press.
[10]	Zheng Zhang & Wenxiao Hu. (2015). An Analysis of the English Translation of "Tian" in The Analects: Insights into the Translation of Core Keywords of Chinese Culture. Chinese Translators Journal, 36(6): 92-96.
[11]	Yuyu Liu. (2019). On the Problem of De-Eurocentrism in the English Translation of Chinese Classics—A Study of Roger Ames and Henry Rosemont's Translation of Some Keywords in the Analects [J]. Academic Research, (2): 30-36+177.
[12]	Katarzyna Pejda. (2020). Constructing a Moral Person in The Analects 論語 and Mengzi 孟子. Roczniki Humanistyczne, 68(9). http://dx.doi.org/10.18290/rh20689-5
[13]	Lihua Yang. (2014). A Comparative Study of the English Versions of The Analects by Legge and Ku Hungming. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 4(1), 65–69. https://doi.org/10.4304/tpls.4.1.65-69
[14]	Karl Maton. (2014). Knowledge and Knowers: Towards a Realist Sociology of Education. London: Routledge.
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[16]	Zehou Li. (2007). A Modern Interpretation of The Analects [M]. Tianjin: Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences Press.
[17]	James Legge. (Trans.). (1892). Confucian Analects, The Great Learning and The Doctrine of the Mean. Oxford.
[18]	Arthur Waley. (Trans.). (1999). The Analects [M]. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press.
[19]	Roger T. Ames & Henry Rosemont Jr. (Trans.). (1998). The Analects of Confucius [M]. New York: The Random House Publishing Group.
[20]	Burton Watson. (Trans.). (2007). The Analects of Confucius. New York: Columbia University Press.
[21]	Roger T. Ames. (2020). Human Becomings: Theorizing Persons for Confucian Role Ethics. State University of New York Press.

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Fu, S. (2024). Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, 10(4), 50-60. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11

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ACS Style

Fu, S. Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects. Int. J. Appl. Linguist. Transl. 2024, 10(4), 50-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11

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AMA Style

Fu S. Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects. Int J Appl Linguist Transl. 2024;10(4):50-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11,
  author = {Shiwei Fu},
  title = {Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects
},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {50-60},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijalt.20241004.11},
  abstract = {The five constant virtues (rén, yì, lǐ, zhì, and xìn) are central to Confucian philosophy and have grown in influence over time, shaping not only traditional moral teachings but also contemporary practices in business management and personal development. However, limited research has explored how these virtues are translated and conceptualized in English versions of The Analects. This study aims to address this gap by examining how the five constant virtues are formed, related, and legitimized across four major English translations, spanning different historical periods. To achieve this, a mixed-methods approach is employed, integrating both qualitative and quantitative analyses. First, a multi-parallel corpus is established, enabling a detailed quantitative examination of how the five constant virtues are expressed across different translations. This analysis highlights variations in the rendering of these key concepts in each text. In parallel, Legitimation Code Theory’s (LCT) constellation analysis is applied for the qualitative component of the study. This approach explores the relationships among the virtues and how translators have conceptualized and structured these interrelations. Results indicate a reduction in variation over time, suggesting a stabilization in how the virtues are conceptualized. While translations consistently represent simpler pairings of virtues, differences emerge when more complex constellations involving all five elements are considered. These findings reveal how philosophical perspectives and temporal contexts shape translation, impacting the way Confucian virtues are legitimized and structured.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects

AU  - Shiwei Fu
Y1  - 2024/10/25
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11
T2  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JF  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JO  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
SP  - 50
EP  - 60
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1271
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11
AB  - The five constant virtues (rén, yì, lǐ, zhì, and xìn) are central to Confucian philosophy and have grown in influence over time, shaping not only traditional moral teachings but also contemporary practices in business management and personal development. However, limited research has explored how these virtues are translated and conceptualized in English versions of The Analects. This study aims to address this gap by examining how the five constant virtues are formed, related, and legitimized across four major English translations, spanning different historical periods. To achieve this, a mixed-methods approach is employed, integrating both qualitative and quantitative analyses. First, a multi-parallel corpus is established, enabling a detailed quantitative examination of how the five constant virtues are expressed across different translations. This analysis highlights variations in the rendering of these key concepts in each text. In parallel, Legitimation Code Theory’s (LCT) constellation analysis is applied for the qualitative component of the study. This approach explores the relationships among the virtues and how translators have conceptualized and structured these interrelations. Results indicate a reduction in variation over time, suggesting a stabilization in how the virtues are conceptualized. While translations consistently represent simpler pairings of virtues, differences emerge when more complex constellations involving all five elements are considered. These findings reveal how philosophical perspectives and temporal contexts shape translation, impacting the way Confucian virtues are legitimized and structured.

VL  - 10
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Shiwei Fu

Department of Translation and Interpreting, School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9085-9377

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Fu, S. (2024). Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, 10(4), 50-60. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11

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ACS Style

Fu, S. Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects. Int. J. Appl. Linguist. Transl. 2024, 10(4), 50-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Fu S. Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects. Int J Appl Linguist Transl. 2024;10(4):50-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11,
  author = {Shiwei Fu},
  title = {Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects
},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {50-60},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijalt.20241004.11},
  abstract = {The five constant virtues (rén, yì, lǐ, zhì, and xìn) are central to Confucian philosophy and have grown in influence over time, shaping not only traditional moral teachings but also contemporary practices in business management and personal development. However, limited research has explored how these virtues are translated and conceptualized in English versions of The Analects. This study aims to address this gap by examining how the five constant virtues are formed, related, and legitimized across four major English translations, spanning different historical periods. To achieve this, a mixed-methods approach is employed, integrating both qualitative and quantitative analyses. First, a multi-parallel corpus is established, enabling a detailed quantitative examination of how the five constant virtues are expressed across different translations. This analysis highlights variations in the rendering of these key concepts in each text. In parallel, Legitimation Code Theory’s (LCT) constellation analysis is applied for the qualitative component of the study. This approach explores the relationships among the virtues and how translators have conceptualized and structured these interrelations. Results indicate a reduction in variation over time, suggesting a stabilization in how the virtues are conceptualized. While translations consistently represent simpler pairings of virtues, differences emerge when more complex constellations involving all five elements are considered. These findings reveal how philosophical perspectives and temporal contexts shape translation, impacting the way Confucian virtues are legitimized and structured.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Constellation of the Five Constant Virtues in English Translations of The Analects

AU  - Shiwei Fu
Y1  - 2024/10/25
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11
T2  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JF  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JO  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
SP  - 50
EP  - 60
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1271
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20241004.11
AB  - The five constant virtues (rén, yì, lǐ, zhì, and xìn) are central to Confucian philosophy and have grown in influence over time, shaping not only traditional moral teachings but also contemporary practices in business management and personal development. However, limited research has explored how these virtues are translated and conceptualized in English versions of The Analects. This study aims to address this gap by examining how the five constant virtues are formed, related, and legitimized across four major English translations, spanning different historical periods. To achieve this, a mixed-methods approach is employed, integrating both qualitative and quantitative analyses. First, a multi-parallel corpus is established, enabling a detailed quantitative examination of how the five constant virtues are expressed across different translations. This analysis highlights variations in the rendering of these key concepts in each text. In parallel, Legitimation Code Theory’s (LCT) constellation analysis is applied for the qualitative component of the study. This approach explores the relationships among the virtues and how translators have conceptualized and structured these interrelations. Results indicate a reduction in variation over time, suggesting a stabilization in how the virtues are conceptualized. While translations consistently represent simpler pairings of virtues, differences emerge when more complex constellations involving all five elements are considered. These findings reveal how philosophical perspectives and temporal contexts shape translation, impacting the way Confucian virtues are legitimized and structured.

VL  - 10
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download