This is one of the best way to learn Chinese. Your vocabulary will not only be increased but in elegance and cultural insight. To master a language, one must be well versed in its traditions and history. If you are interested, here's my blog on which I had written on how to translate Chinese poems into English :)
http://jeffinous.blogspot.com/2010/10/barbaric-goddess-or-finer-points-in.html
On a technical point, the original character used in 悯农, is 飧 and not 餐 :)
有人能帮我翻译这首美好的诗吗？(咏鹅)
I sometimes do YouTube videos on Chinese poetry https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTg-StWh692dqGTsmG-nxvrn5K3ZIpi3e which takes a lot of effort because I need to create / find very precise and poetic translations. It takes time to work on them and make them just right. There are usually many potential translations online but I often find them unsatisfactory or sometimes too technical but not poetic. This is because most of the Chinese who are interested in the subject have a poor command of English. The better ones are usually from serious non-Chinese sinologists. Translating poetry is a subtle art and science. I totally agree.
So far I think the translations I make are very natural and precise. But if anyone wants to review them feel free! You can see some on my Youtube channel.
In any case, I'd like to make a video on the following poem that I learned and really love
鹅，鹅，鹅，
曲项向天歌。
白毛浮绿水，
红掌拨清波。
This is my current translation, please provide comments! Great translation (for those interested in learning the languages) but not poetic enough if for enjoyment in the target language. Here's my take on it...
Geese, geese, geese, Geese, oh geese, oh geese!
Necks curved, singing to the sky, Curvy necks in song, towards heaven high.
White plumage floats on green water, White plumage, afloat on waters green,
Red feet stir clear ripples. Red feet, paddling ripples clear.
Keep in mind while helping me that translating poetry is not exact science, it's a matter of trying to capture the beauty and meaning of the language simultaneously. This translation is based on a number of other translations.
O Geese
by Luo Binwang
O geese, O geese, O geese!
You crane your neck and sing to sky your song sweet.
Your white feathers float on green water with ease.
You swim through clear waters with your red-webbed feet.
Translated by Prof. Xu Yuan-chong who translated the whole 300 Tang poem. He is 95 this year and is a great translator in China.
有人能帮我翻译这首美好的诗吗？(咏鹅)
I sometimes do YouTube videos on Chinese poetry https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTg-StWh692dqGTsmG-nxvrn5K3ZIpi3e which takes a lot of effort because I need to create / find very precise and poetic translations. It takes time to work on them and make them just right. There are usually many potential translations online but I often find them unsatisfactory or sometimes too technical but not poetic. Translating poetry is a subtle art and science.
So far I think the translations I make are very natural and precise. But if anyone wants to review them feel free! You can see some on my Youtube channel.
In any case, I'd like to make a video on the following poem that I learned and really love
鹅，鹅，鹅，
曲项向天歌。
白毛浮绿水，
红掌拨清波。
This is my current translation, please provide comments!
The goose, goose, goose, sprinkle QuXiang songs.White hair floating green water, anthurium dial to west.
Keep in mind while helping me that translating poetry is not exact science, it's a matter of trying to capture the beauty and meaning of the language simultaneously. This translation is based on a number of other translations.
