6.4.2　A case study

An important property of the cognitive motivations of image-G restructuring strategy as we discussed above is that it could allow translators to see more clearly into the true nature and root of the type of crossed correspondence resulting from their construction of image-G.As it appears,the cognitive explanation not only throws light on the shared Gestalt qualities and aesthetic characters possessed by both unoverlapped and overlapped parts of the constructed image-G,but also makes sense in guiding translators towards a better mastery of the supplementary means of dealing with the crossed correspondence type.Considering the indispensability of recognizing unoverlapped parts and part-whole relations between the constructed image-G in TT and the original image-G in ST,it is not surprising that image-G restructuring strategy enables translators both to identify and to weed out the unoverlapped parts and thus makes holistic image-G possible in TT,for without this it would be almost impossible for translators to realize the reappearance of image-G based on discourse intertextuality of Gestalt attributes.As for the crossed correspondence presented in Section 5.4,which has been explored in Xu's translation of“Migrant Orioles”,what we are about to propose in case study does have convincing body of convergent evidence to support that image-G restructuring strategy is applicable for the type of crossed correspondence.

To begin with,the two lines,fangcao si yiyi(I'm thinking of the green grass so fair)and tiangao yansheng xi(no wild geese afar are heard no more orioles'song),make up prototypical instances of Gestalt attributes in the poem,which embody the very thematic and aesthetic essence of Gestalt qualities of parting grief and deep yearning.They carry intertextuality information of specific contextual situation about the poet's sentimental attachment of being lost in a deep reverie,which can be utilized by translators as a highly available set of causal connections to realize Gestalt restructuring and reappearance of image-G in TT.Turning to menghui fangcao si yiyi(in my dream I'm thinking of the green grass so fair),its signifying structure endowed by the poet is largely identical with tiangao yansheng xi(no wild geese afar are heard no more orioles'song).Although their Gestalt attributes available on causal connections is presorted in the original poem,they are not expressed literally,and this is the major point.Admittedly,what is rendered linguistically is the interaction between a potential intertextual input space and the intertextual echo of images.In this way,translators can gain enlightenment from the causal connections and recurrences of Gestalt layers in the poem that are associated with so-called“scenes”,a notion related to our term“intertextuality-based causal connections”,thus representing the incremental change implicit in these two lines.(https://www.daowen.com)

To be specific,menghui functions as a cognitive reference point of discourse intertextuality that facilitates translators in distinguishing the signifying structures of endowed Gestalt layers between menghui fangcao si yiyi(in my dream I'm thinking of the green grass so fair)and tianyuan yansheng xi(no wild geese afar are heard no more orioles'song).Due to the fact that these three endowed Gestalt layers make up an integrative and intensifying Gestalt configuration in which each signifying structure is not inseparably associated but shares intertextual transformation with each other,it is revealing therefore that translators could get the Gestalt hint of discourse intertextuality,namely,a slight sense of melancholy and irredeemable loss in fangcao si yiyi(I'm thinking of the green grass so fair)and incremental longing for the beloved one and the bitterness of separation sorrow in tianyuan yansheng xi(no wild geese afar are heard no more orioles'song).In this view,the adoption of“waking from my dream of fragrant grass my yearn lingerings on and on”would be proposed to be best possible rendering of menghui fangcao si yiyi(in my dream I'm thinking of the green grass so fair).It can not only makes the original signifying structure coherent and integrated in TT but also brings out the unfading memories of the beloved one which still linger about in the poet's sleepy mind and even after he wakes up,thus enabling Gestalt attributes shared with the next line accessible for translators.As a result,the translation of this line may actually call up the incremental change implicit in next line,which gives rise to the internalized Gestalt attributes of image-G reappearance in TT.Accordingly,the adoption of geese's sound is barely audible since the sky is broad and huge,not mention a shuttlecocking letter would be suggested for the translation of tianyuan yanshen xi.It is thus clear that,the translation involves into describing the poet's overwhelming melancholy and strong yearning since he cannot keep on shuttlecocking letters with his beloved one.What is achieved in this intertextuality-based causal connections is an emergent structure of potential intertextual input space and it establishes certain intertextual echo and links with images in previous line based on the prior activation of thematic and aesthetic elements and Gestalt attributes.