|
Challenges
Overview
A Conceptual Language
The Meaning of Characters
Sun
Tzu's Approach
Sun
Tzu's System
Sun Tzu's System
 The final reason
that translation is difficult is that the text was written in a
kind of
code. Much of Sun Tzu's writing refers to diagrams and analogies
used by the Chinese in classical science. Just as modern poetry uses metaphors,
ancient Chinese relied upon the many connections in this system to express
complicated ideas without having to explain them in detail.
Sun Tzu's system is less about specific concepts themselves
than it is about their relationships with each other. It is less about individual actions
than it is about the larger processes in which those actions play a small role. The Art of War itself doesn't describe these processes in detail, referring
as it does to the classical models.
Ancient
Chinese science had a system of diagramming
that captures relationships and processes. People today may be familiar
with Chinese nature diagrams from feng-shui. The Art of War doesn't describe this model itself. The model comes only from
studying Chinese culture and history.
Almost all those who have translated Sun Tzu's The Art of War are unaware that this system even exists. The
connection between this ancient system and Sun Tzu wasn't made until Gary
Gagliardi began diagramming Sun Tzu's system as part of his lectures and
writing. It was an audience member who pointed out the connection between his
diagrams of Sun Tzu and the ancient Bagua of Chinese science.
It takes an entire book to describe all the relationships
in this diagram and their relationships to Sun Tzu's system. Gagliardi created
such a work; he replaced the classical elements in traditional diagrams with the
elements that Sun Tzu describes, creating the key to transforming a collection
of vague aphorisms into a rigorous system. He explained this diagramming first
in his award-winning Amazing Secrets book
and later in his training seminars.
|
