There are many reasons why translations differ, besides the problems inherent in translating from a language where : each symbol represents a word that has multiple (sometimes very different) meanings; tenses, articles, and plurals are not indicated; and one symbol can represent either a noun or adjective, another a verb or adverb, another all four!
- What source is used : for WB and HSG, which version of what source; in the oldest sources, what modern symbols to use
- Accurately knowing all the possible English meanings for each symbol (and sometimes pairs of symbols), including changes in meaning over the millennia, and understanding ancient idioms
- Having to pick just one meaning for each symbol
- Organizing each sentence into something that makes sense, which is helped by understanding something of ancient Chinese grammar
The cultural background, knowledge, biases, beliefs, and agenda of the translator affect every step but the first. “Agenda” refers to how the translator approaches the content of the DDJ : as a work of mysticism vs. philosophy vs. military strategy vs. advice to emperors, etc.
The goals for this translation were :
- Include an English word or phrase for every Chinese symbol in the sentence
- Use exact translations of the Chinese symbols wherever possible
- Minimal interpretation of individual symbols, only where needed for clarity
- Use the same English word(s) for the same symbol(s) when appropriate
- As few added English words as possible to make it a correct English sentence
- No interpretation of the final translated sentence
Individual symbols are interpreted only when they either don’t make as much sense literally, or the resulting sentence would be awkward in English. In some cases, if a symbol means two English words that both seem to fit equally well, they are combined into one phrase, such as “heart/mind” for 心 (see the next section), or 玄 which can mean “mystery”, “profound”, “deep”, or “dark”, and is consistently translated as “deep and mysterious” or “deep mystery”, depending on the context.
The above goals hopefully help minimize, but cannot eliminate, translator bias. The problem is that each Chinese symbol still has several meanings, and the translator must pick just one for each symbol (step 3) to create an English sentence that makes sense (step 4). It is impossible to avoid translator bias here because the translator must choose what makes sense or feels right to them, in both word meanings and overall grammar.
For example, there is a line in chapter 58 : 禍 兮 福 之 所 倚 where 兮 can mean “good fortune” or “happiness” and 禍 can mean “misfortune” or “disaster”, but by reflection with 兮 could also be interpreted as “unhappiness”. 倚 can mean “lean on”, “rely on”, or “depend on”, so all of these are valid translations :
Misfortune is that which good fortune leans on.
Misfortune is that which good fortune relies on.