A comparative study of the two English versions of the Analects from the perspective of the Reception Aesthetics

"The Analects," as a compilation of the words and deeds of Confucius and his disciples during the Spring and Autumn Period, stands as one of the classic works of the Confucian school of thought. This work is not only one of China's "four Books", but also occupies an important position in the global culture. The popularity of its numerous English translations reflects its profound influence worldwide. Based on the theory of Reception Aesthetics, this paper analyzes how the English translations by James Legge and Xu Yuanchong meet the expectations of readers in different cultural backgrounds. Furthermore, it points out that translation practices grounded in Reception Aesthetics not only enrich the expressive forms of literary works but also provide new perspectives for promoting cross-cultural communication and understanding.