Fung Chi-wang

Abstract

The religious discourse in Lin Shu’s Chinese translation of La Dame aux camélias is analysed and compared to the religious meanings conveyed in the original. The results are then connected to Lin’s theory on Heaven veneration and his reflection on ghosts and spirits, in order to explain how he interpreted and recreated Christianity. The major findings are that: Lin’s translation retains two terms from the source text, Heaven (tian) and God (Shangdi), both bearing the meanings of “providence” (tianyi) and “Heaven’s blessings” (tianyou). However, “fate” (tianming) is found to be the translator’s own additions. His translation also projects a wish for “Heaven to have any Earthly wish fulfilled” (tiancongrenyuan), which differs from the concept of “let Thy will be done” expressed in the original French work. The Heaven as depicted in the original and Lin’s translation also rewards the righteous, punishes the evil, searches the heart and examines the mind, but Lin’s translation does not preserve most of the religious metaphors, and presents an idea of redemption which is different from the concept of salvation in the original. Because of Lin’s rewriting, the Christian image of God and moral values reflected in his translation are close to his understanding of Heaven veneration (weitian) and belief that “people embodying loyalty and filial piety will have divine blessings” (tianyouzhongxiao). Even though Lin equates Christian faith with superstition, the Western religion is frequently introduced in his translations as he considered the Christian God to be of good nature. This is why he was never hostile to Christianity.

Key words: Lin Shu, Bali Chahuanu Yishi, La Dame aux camélias, Christianity, Religion