《人间词话》英译（三十四）

词忌用替代字。美成《解语花》之“桂华流瓦”，境界极妙。惜以“桂华”二字代“月”耳。梦窗以下，则用代字更多。其所以然者，非意不足，则语不妙也。盖意足则不暇代，语妙则不必代。此少游之“小楼连苑，绣毂雕鞍”所以为东坡所讥也。

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Tz’u should avoid the use of substitute words (tai-tzu). The ching-chieh in the line ‘The cinnamon blossom drifts over the tiles’ in Chou Pang-yen’s tz’u to the tune of ‘Chieh yu hua’ is superb. What a pity he used the two words ‘cinnamon blossom’ as a substitute for the moon.’ From Wu Wen-ying’s time the use of substitute words increased even more. The reason for this was either that they did not have enough in the way of meaning, or they had a poor command of words, that is to say, if they had enough to say, they would not feel the need to borrow or substitute. If their diction was of excellent quality to begin with, again they would feel no need to use substitutions. This is why Su Shih criticized Ch’in Kuan’s phrases, ‘The little towers adjacent to the park’, ‘the ornate hubs’, ‘carved saddle’.