Analysis of Three Beauties Theory in Xu Yuanchong’s English Translation of Classical Chinese Love Poems

This study explores Xu Yuanchong’s Three Beauties Theory and its manifestation in translating Classical Chinese love poems into English. The Three Beauties Theory emphasizes achieving beauty in meaning, sound, and form to preserve the original’s aesthetic and emotional depth. Using a qualitative approach, the study examines five of Xu’s translated poems selected to represent these three facets. Data were drawn from Xu’s published translations, and thematic analysis was applied to evaluate how well his work maintains the nuanced, poetic qualities of the source material. The results of the analysis reveal both the strengths and limitations of the Three Beauties Theory in capturing the original poems’ cultural resonance and artistic integrity. The findings of this study highlight Xu Yuanchong's Three Beauties theory as a significant method in cross-cultural literary communication and a valuable framework for future translators to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps while retaining the artistic integrity of classical poetry.