Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
Home> Volumes> Volume CHR Vol.116> Article
Research Article

From Alley to Longtang : Interlingual Reconstruction of Local Spatiality in English Translation of Wang Anyi's Chang Hen Ge

Qianyu LiuWuhan University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Wang Anyi's Chang Hen Ge and its English translation, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow: A Novel of Shanghai translated by Michael Berry and Susan Chan Egan, has been particularly well received and become an important example in the transnational dissemination of contemporary Chinese literature. This paper examines the interlingual reconstruction of longtang as a form of local spatiality in this novel. Adopting a spatial approach that involves the four levels of material spatiality, literary-imagined spatiality, translated spatiality and readerly spatiality, this study understands longtang not just as a culture-specific term but rather a multilayered urban space influenced by architectural space, daily life, sensory experience and cultural memories. Methodologically, the paper makes use of techniques of close reading, comparative textual analysis and reception analysis. In terms of source text analysis, the paper begins with an attempt to understand how the source text has transformed Shanghai longtang into a literary space. Following this is a discussion on how the target text has reconstructed the spatiality through visuals, sound, touch and smell. The final section deals with reviews, awards and readers' responses in an attempt to find out the readerly space constructed in the target context.

Keywords: Chang Hen Ge; longtang; local spatiality; interlingual reconstruction; sensory representation
Published: August 12, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.35921
Volume: CHR Vol.116
pp. 20-29
Download PDF

References

  1. Lu, Y., & Wang, Y. (2006).An introduction to cultural studies. Fudan University Press.
  2. Tally, R. T., Jr. (2020). Spatial literary studies.Literary Geographies, 6(1), 1–4. https://www.literarygeographies.net/index.php/LitGeogs/article/view/215
  3. Ma, Q. (2022). Multidimensional explorations of the spatial turn and spatial criticism in literary translation.Foreign Language and Literature Research, 8(3), 105–112. https://doi.org/10.16651/j.cnki.fllr.2022.0043
  4. Xu, J. (2010).Translation geography. Heilongjiang People's Publishing House.
  5. Wu, Y. (2012). Co-existence of defamiliarization and readability: A probe intoThe Song of Everlasting Sorrow.Foreign Language Teaching Theory and Practice, (4), 62–68. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=29HrapzBqeVl6E2A4wZGkWAm9ji4OeRXjcP6f44ripW98C4qxeen_RhrDnUgitXGOoc2EcWqLhbvu6KKM0rdZRkYfHIQQy6TazBHoOVsFYEyCaJWOSxG8uaIlakmHokWuNfWvZHSHDuIoxOIlX9-_6_0RbrLpaV4fBBmFIqW049XpA2Nps7TWA==&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS
  6. Wu, Y. (2012). A study on the translation ethics of contemporary Chinese literature: A case study of Michael Berry and Susan Chan Egan's English translation ofThe Song of Everlasting Sorrow.Chinese Translators Journal, (3), 98–102. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=29HrapzBqeUFE6Jsfe-fs-JcowhW6FEZjGJyPXgH9wxxCkE_UWXo74n8z5d2w-nqXRnKdAtJWjciXTV8UIdwQHW7OafhCGQ7GBzT3oAs2fgPu7UJCrW7zni_z50Wzcx3iELihwJcdpVoPmPOiapBgmJJTwlHzgpgEFsYR7zmKtT8k_VS1PcfpQ==&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS
  7. Li, Y., & Sun, H. (2021). A study on the overseas translation, dissemination, and reception ofThe Song of Everlasting Sorrow.Journal of PLA University of Foreign Languages, 44(2), 66–73. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=29HrapzBqeXt0hTjuZ6D0ovsnogSAZ0CuBR0bdBu4tWMpTvopyZ-OemwvhdOqhuBgRpyH_pEOpUvIN4Zk0Ka3FzuWPrxqFkz1sKhgETRhXxBkJTja5PYVCuiQD4KSBTCZ7fLKkPlZNgyVqmFPO-iq4nKaey3xFbB_bD65wtFZ1n_YZsEo7GKdg==&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS
  8. Hou, L. (2024). A study of the English translation ofThe Song of Everlasting Sorrowfrom the perspective of translation aesthetics.JinGu Creative Literature, (45), 106–109. https://link.cnki.net/doi/10.20024/j.cnki.CN42-1911/I.2024.45.026
  9. Feng, Y., & Feng, Q. (2022). Metaphor translation and the cross-cultural construction of Shanghai's urban image.Shanghai Journal of Translators, 163(2), 84–89. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=29HrapzBqeXQk7RNPgCZul1vlNRY6L9ZbiDQ1znIXSHb8W3YegNY2BgaSX8PYSrif80Plv0x_k9E7TgdybNqrtlBnII8_f5euNkGAW1b0A2ME2Eq7CeqveOLbOSgWY7Txs1xpJMg3dnktCZ9PLE84BNEEapDMGkI3IQAZEzwzudP7dQHOahtkg==&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS
  10. Nian, L. (2023).A study on the reconstruction of Shanghai's urban image in the English translation of The Song of Everlasting Sorrow[M], Sichuan International Studies University. https://link.cnki.net/doi/10.27348/d.cnki.gscwc.2023.000131
  11. Hockx, M. (2009). Song of Everlasting Sorrow: A Novel of Shanghai [Review of the book The Song of Everlasting Sorrow: A Novel of Shanghai, by Wang Anyi, trans. M. Berry & S. C. Egan].MCLC Resource Center. https://u.osu.edu/mclc/book-reviews/song-of-everlasting-sorrow/
  12. Zeng, D. (2017).An Introduction to Literary Geography. The Commercial Press.
  13. Yang, D. (1994).Urban monsoon: The cultural spirit of Beijing and Shanghai. Oriental Press.
  14. Wang, A. (1995).Chang Hen Ge. Writers Publishing House.
  15. Wang, A. (2008).The song of everlasting sorrow: A novel of Shanghai(M. Berry & S. C. Egan, Trans.). Columbia University Press.
  16. Prose, F. (2008). Miss Shanghai.The New York Times Book Review, 9. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/books/review/Prose-t.html
  17. Chiang, B. C., & Rollins, J. B. (2009). The song of everlasting sorrow: A novel of Shanghai [Review of the bookThe Song of Everlasting Sorrow: A Novel of Shanghai, by Wang Anyi, trans. M. Berry & S. C. Egan].World Literature Today, 83(3), 64–65. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/843216/summary