文气 – Chinese philosophy and culture

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wénqì 文气

Wenqi

作品中所表现出的作者的精神气质与个性特点。是作家的内在精神气质与作品外在的行文气势相融合的产物。“气”原指构成天地万物始初的基本元素,用在文论中,既指作家的精神气质,也指这种精神气质在作品中的具体表现。人禀天地之气而形成不同的个性气质,表现在文学创作中,便形成不同的文气,呈现出独特风格特点及气势强弱、节奏顿挫等。

Wenqi (文气) is the personality an author demonstrates in his works, and is a fusion of his innate temperament and the vitality seen in his works. Originally, qi (气) referred to the basic element in the initial birth and formation of all things, as well as heaven and earth. In literary criticism, it refers to an author’s distinctive individuality and its manifestation in his writings. Humans are believed to develop different characters and traits endowed by the qi of heaven and earth. Reflected in literary creation, such different characters and traits naturally find expression in distinctive styles and varying degrees of vigor as well as rhythm and cadence.

引例 Citations:

◎文以气为主,气之清浊有体,不可力强而致。(曹丕《典论·论文》)

(文章由作家的“气”为主导,气有清气、浊气两种形态[决定人的气质优劣与材质高下],不是强行可以获得的。)

Literary writing is governed by qi. Either clear or murky, qi determines the temperament of a writer, refined or vulgar, and his talent, high or low. Qi cannot be acquired. (Cao Pi: On Literary Classics)

◎气盛则言之短长与声之高下者皆宜。(韩愈《答李翊书》)

(作者的内心气势很强,那么句子长短搭配和音调的抑扬顿挫自然都会恰当。)

If a writer has a strong inner flow of qi, the length of his sentences will be well-balanced, and his choice of tone and cadence will just be right. (Han Yu: A Letter of Response to Li Yi)

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