Reframing the narrative of magic wind in Arthur Waley’s translation of Journey to the West: another look at the abridged translation

Abstract

This article examines Arthur Waley’s abridged translation of “Journey to the West”, titled “Monkey”, and its influence on magic wind narrativity using narrative theory and (re)framing concepts. The research categorises the narrative significance of the magical wind in the source text and highlights its powers as destruction, transport and transformation. In contrast, these elements seem subdued in “Monkey”. Waley’s reframing employs strategies, such as (I) temporal and spatial reframing; (II) selective appropriation, emphasising stories of pilgrims saving their lands, while overshadowing important cultural and religious aspects of the original; and (III) modifying specific labelling techniques that include references to the magical wind.