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Article published In:
Target
Vol. 29:1 (2017) ► pp.64–86

Recreating the image of Chan master Huineng

The role of personal pronouns

| Macquarie University |
| Macquarie University |

The article is on the recreation of the image of Chan master Huineng in four English translations of the Platform Sutra through the choice of personal pronouns. Adopting SysConc as analytical tool, the study looks at the use of personal pronouns and the image of Huineng recreated in each translation. In Wong (1930a), the use of we in combination with you presents Huineng as both friendly and authoritative; in Heng (1977b), Huineng tends to avoid personal pronouns and seems to be detached; in Cleary (1998b), Huineng is more involved in the interaction and uses many I’s as well as you; in Cheng (2011), Huineng speaks in an elegant way and uses generic one as personal reference. It is argued that both the choices of personal pronouns and the images of Huineng recreated can be better understood in terms of the context of translation.

Keywords: personal pronouns, Huineng, systemic functional linguistics, interpersonal distance, context
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Personal pronouns: A systemic functional perspective
    • 2.1System of nominal person
    • 2.2Interpersonal distance and image of Huineng
  • 3.Methodology
    • 3.1Data
    • 3.2Analytical tools and procedures
  • 4.Analysis and findings
    • 4.1Personal pronouns in the four translations
    • 4.2Images of Huineng in four translations
      • 4.2.1An intimate spiritual mentor with authority
      • 4.2.2A detached Chan master
      • 4.2.3A friendly teacher
      • 4.2.4An elegant truth transmitter
    • 4.3Contextual considerations
      • 4.3.1Wong Mou-lam (1932): The first translator and his Western readers
      • 4.3.2Heng Yin (1977): The first Western Buddhist translator and early American Buddhists
      • 4.3.3Thomas Cleary (1998): A professional translator and the general public
      • 4.3.4 Cheng Kuan (2011): An abbot and his disciples
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Note
  • References


This article is currently available as a sample article.

Published online: 1 June 2017
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https://doi.org/10.1075/target.29.1.03yu
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