4.3.3 Gestalt characteristic of similarity
In general，the image contour of certain Gestalt similarity demonstrates that segments with similar properties are much more likely to be united by translators as image-G than segments that are dissimilar to each other.Since there is a similar tendency of Gestalt qualities of images which possesses the analogy while Gestalt stimulus is similar in which they are characteristically adjacent to each other and it can facilitate translators in recognizing holistic image-G of ST.Take an example from the translation of Su Shi's poem“Water Dragon's Chant”（苏轼《水龙吟》）：[6]
似花还似非花，也无人惜从教坠。
Sihua hai si feihua,ye wuren xicong jiaozhui.
抛家傍路，思量却是，无情有思。
Paojia banglu,siliang que shi,wuqing yousi.
萦损柔肠，困酣娇眼，欲开还闭。
Yingsun rouchang,kunhan jiaoyan,yukai huanbi.
梦随风万里，寻郎去处，又还被莺呼起。
Meng suifeng wanli,xunlang quchu,youhuan bei ying huqi.
不恨此花飞尽，恨西园、落红难缀。
Buhen cihua feijin,hen xiyuan,luohong nanzhui.
晓来雨过，遗踪何在？一池萍碎。
Xiaolai yuguo,yizong hezai?Yichi pingsui.
春色三分，二分尘土，一分流水。
Chunse sanfen,erfen chentu,yifen liushui.
细看来，不是杨花点点，是离人泪。
Xikan lai,bushi yanghua diandian,shi liren lei.
They seem to be and not to be flowers,
None pity them when they fall in showers.
Deserting home,
By the roadside they roam;
I think they have no feeling to impart,(https://www.daowen.com)
But they must have thoughts deep.
Grief numbs their tender heart,
Their wistful eyes heavy with sleep,
About to open,yet closed again.
They dream of going with the wind for long,
Long miles to find a tender-hearted man,
But are aroused by the orioles'song,
I do not grieve willow catkins have flown away,
But that in Western Garden the fallen red
Cannot be gathered,when dawns the day
And rain iso'er,we cannot find their traces
But a pond with broken duckweeds o'erspread.
Of spring's three graces,
Two have gone with the roadside dust,
And one with the waves.
If you just take a close look,you will never
Find calkins but tears of those who sever,
Which drop by drop Fall without stop.
(Translated by Xu Yuanchong)
In general,there are two imagery groupings with images of similar Gestalt qualities of each individual grouping in the poem.More specifically,the first grouping involves five images of luohong(fallen petals red),liushui(waves),yanghua(petals drop by drop)and huafeijin(willow catkins flown away)which share a similar dynamic state of waving to and fro in a drifting manner in the air/water.The integrated semantics resulting from similar Gestalt qualities call forth the literary theme of grieving over the passing of spring.The second one involves three images of rouchang(tender heart),jiaoyan(wistful eyes)and pingsui(duckweeds overspread)which have traced a close analogy with each other and possess similar qualities of softness and delicateness.The aesthetic quality corresponding to these images is exceedingly inextricable and is the representation of commiserative sentimental emotions.This is even true for images with relevant degree of certain similar sentiment and affection,such as the images of buhen(grieve not),yousi(tossing and turning)and siliang(thinking carefully).The literary theme provided by the imagery grouping is identical with the artistic circumstances under which the first imagery grouping actually occurred as we mentioned above,namely,lamenting over the passing of spring.
In the translation,it could be found that the translator successfully framed image-G in target language rather than merely adopted corresponding images of ST.His translation to some extent is composed by interlaced and scattered image clues with similar Gestalt qualities.These image clues could be readily perceived and could be brought to a lot of plentiful and vivid artistic features and Gestalt essence.He fulfilled the original image-G in his translation,although its syntax mode is not in accordance with that in the original.The syntax model of ST has altered considerably and he made adjustments to the poetic narration.He will be able to actualize image-G by giving prominence to syntax model,for the coherence and interrelationship between similar Gestalt qualities in images will produce a direction that guides him to catch the desired artistic conception.The narrative style of his translation is more intelligible and acceptable for target readers to grasp the original image-G.Therefore,it is reasonable to arrive at the proposition that translators'perception and cognizance of the similar tendency of Gestalt qualities in these images becomes a gateway to the actualization of artistic concept of original image-G in his translation.