Introduction

The translation and dissemination of Chinese classics in Hungary began with the Tao Te Ching, which lasted for over a hundred years and experienced three peaks, producing more than 20 different forms of translations, including 15 full translations. The poetry and prose translations of the Tao Te Ching, jointly and independently published by Wu Luoshi and Du Keyi, have been published and distributed in Hungary in 17 full translations in Hungarian, with more than 40 reprints, making it the most popular Chinese cultural classic. This study will sort out the Hungarian version of the Tao Te Ching in chronological order, presenting a macro overview of its translation history in Hungary. Taking the first chapter of 14 versions as an example, the characteristics and translation strategies of each translation will be analyzed through back translation.

The Three Peaks of Translation and Dissemination of the Tao Te Ching in Hungary

Detailed description of the translation and dissemination process of the Tao Te Ching in Hungary, divided into three peaks. The first climax occurred in the 1940s and 1960s, with a total of 5 translations and 6 publications. The second peak occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, with 5 new translations published a total of 15 times. The third peak occurred in the 21st century, with 8 new translations of the Hungarian language appearing, along with reprints of the old translations, for a total of 19 publications. The translation and dissemination of the Tao Te Ching in Hungary have shown a continuous trend of prosperity, with the number of reprints of new and old translations far exceeding the two peaks, reflecting the sustained influence and value of the Tao Te Ching in contemporary Hungary.

14 Hungarian translations of the Tao Te Ching

In the study of fourteen Hungarian translations of the Tao Te Ching, Chapter Three explores in detail the characteristics and translator backgrounds of the 14 different Hungarian translations. In 1907, Stoych Ivan's "The Wisdom of Laozi's Life" was the earliest Hungarian translation, in which he interpreted the Tao Te Ching using Christian and ancient Indian doctrines, and added numerous annotations to the translation. In 1943, Agra Lajosh's translation of "On the Highest Realm and Virtue of Man - Laozi's Tao Te Ching" included a brief introduction to Laozi's life and thoughts, as well as 80 annotations. In 1957, Hartmann Bertalan's translation was published by the Munich Horizon Publishing House. He was a prolific Orientalist, writer, and translator. The translation of "Laozi: The Book of Roads and Virtues" by Wu Luoshi and Du Keyi in 1958 is one of the most popular translations, including poetic, note taking, and prose translations. In 1980, the translation by St. Michael Sabo Peter combined literal and interpretive translation to help readers understand philosophical ideas. The translation by Karasun Gabor in 1990 was reviewed by sinologist Gulan and was widely popular and reprinted multiple times. In 1997, Tang Daoyu translated the first 37 chapters of the Tao Te Ching, which was concise and rhythmic. The translation by Kurcha Imre in 2001 included a detailed introduction to the bamboo version of the Tao Te Ching, adding to its literary value. The characteristics of Lasso da May's translation in 2004 are keyword annotations and colored illustrations after each chapter. In 2005, Darcy Tiber re created the "Laozi Tao Te Ching" in the form of poetry based on Du Keyi's prose translation. These translations not only showcase the dissemination and influence of the Tao Te Ching in Hungary, but also reflect the academic backgrounds and personal styles of different translators.

Four concluding remarks

The issue of the loss of poetic features in the Hungarian translation of the Tao Te Ching was discussed, and it was pointed out that all text interpretations are the result of the fusion of the interpreter's perspective and the original perspective, and cannot be measured by right or wrong. The original text of the Tao Te Ching is profound and wise, with exquisite language that provides a vast space for interpretation. There is a lack of unified understanding of the original text both domestically and internationally, and there are various ways to break sentences. Most Hungarian translations are translated from other languages, and distortion is inevitable. This article presents the different understandings and translation methods of translators in 14 Hungarian translations through translator introduction, version characteristics explanation, and translation back translation. The focus is on explaining the translator's approach and the form of the version, without judging its quality. The Tao Te Ching is widely popular in Hungary, with many versions circulating and influenced by Taoist thought. The President of the Hungarian Writers Association also believes that the ideas of Confucius and Mencius are useful for modern national governance. The cross century translation and dissemination of the Tao Te Ching in Hungary demonstrates the modern value of its great ideas.