A primer for translating classical Chinese Daoist texts and
a bilingual sourcebook of Daoist literature.
In the present book, one of our leading translators of Daoist literature and an internationally recognized scholar-educator of Daoism offers a primer for translating Daoist literature. Drawing upon twenty years of experience and his own intensive translation work, amounting to some forty translations to date, Komjathy offers a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges of engaging Daoist texts in a bilingual manner, specifically one informed by a study-practice model. In addition to a robust introduction that discusses Daoist literature and translation, Primer for Translating Daoist Literature道文翻譯入門 contains twenty-eight "lessons" from a wide variety of Daoist materials with accompanying, supplemental materials.
Key texts explored include the Bàopǔzi nèipiān 抱朴子內篇 (Inner Chapters of Master Embracing Simplicity), Chūzhēn jiè 初眞戒 (Precepts of Initial Perfection), Chuándào jí 傳道集 (Anthology of the Transmission of the Dao), Huángtíng jīng 黃庭經 (Scripture on the Yellow Court), Lǎozǐ zhāngjù 老子章句 (Chapter-and-Verse Commentary on the Laozi), Nèiyè 內業 (Inward Training), Yǎngxìng yánmìng lù 養性延命錄 (Record of Nourishing Innate Nature and Extending Life-destiny), and Zuòwàng piān 坐忘篇 (Treatise on Sitting-in-Forgetfulness).
Each selection consists of a brief contextual and framing introduction that provides essential information on the given text and the relevant linguistic dimensions for developing fuller translation facility. The latter includes lesson-specific Daoist technical vocabulary. The book also contains ten appendices that assist readers in deepening their understanding of Daoist etymology, Daoist lexigraphy, and Daoist translation proper. While primarily intended for individuals interested in reading Chinese Daoist primary texts in the original, this book also may be used to develop bilingual engagement with Daoism and as a sourcebook of Daoist literature.
Louis Komjathy 康思奇 (Ph.D., Religious Studies; Boston University) is a leading independent scholar-practitioner of Daoism and translator of Daoist literature. He serves as Director and senior scholar-in-residence at the Center for Daoist Studies 道學中心, the education and research branch of the Daoist Foundation 道教基金會. His most recent books include Taming the Wild Horse (Columbia University Press, 2017), Introducing Contemplative Studies (Wiley-Blackwell, 2018), and, with Kate Townsend, Entering Stillness (Square Inch Press, 2022). He also serves as project manager and editor-in-chief of the Daoist Translation Committee 道教翻譯學會. He lives in semi-seclusion on the Northshore of Chicago, Illinois.
