On the way to language Ping (Chinese-English Translation of Famous Works)

Author: [German] Heidegger / Sun Zhixing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-03
Features: This Chinese translation of the book was first published in Taiwan by Times Publishing Co., Ltd. (1993) in traditional characters, and later by the Commercial Press in Beijing in simplified characters (1997). The original translation was based on the German standalone edition (1986 edition). In recent years, the translator has intermittently revised and refined the translation on the computer according to the Complete Works edition (1985 edition). This time, the translator was able to dedicate a concentrated period to comprehensively organizing the translation, with many parts nearly requiring a complete rewrite. During the revision process, the translator also added numerous footnotes, hoping to assist readers in their understanding. Additionally, the original translation included excessive explanatory notes for translated terms in the main text, such as "Great Way" (Er-eignis) and "Way of Speaking" (Sage). In this revision, guided by the principle of conciseness, some notes were deleted, while others were incorporated into the footnotes, aiming to minimize disruptions for readers during reading. However, necessary notes were retained, and in a few cases, even expanded. All of these efforts are equally aimed at aiding readers' comprehension. The fundamental term of Heidegger's thought, Ereignis, was originally translated as "Great Way" by the translator. In other translations, it has now been uniformly revised to "Being-as-it-is" (as seen in the translator's other works, such as Heidegger's The Waymark and Nietzsche). During the revision, the translator hesitated for some time but ultimately could not part with the original translation, retaining the term "Great Way." The basic rationale for this translation can be found in the postscript of the Chinese translation edition; alternatively, it can be seen in the article "Great Way and Being-as-it-is" published by the translator at the Department of Philosophy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where the translator elaborates on their new considerations regarding the Chinese translation of Ereignis.