WB, HSG, and FY were chosen as sources for this translation mainly because their earliest manuscripts are complete, and the Chinese characters are “modern” enough that there is less doubt as to their meaning. But there are occasional differences between them, so a 2/3 majority vote was used to determine which symbol to use. This would result in a document which is essentially the same as WB, since WB and HSG are almost always the same. However, in comparing all six sources (or fewer if the chapter is not in GUO, or the earlier symbols cannot be read), it becomes obvious that sometimes significant changes were made only in the most recent sources. Thus a symbol was changed to the one used by the older sources if the majority of all available sources use the different symbol, and it adds to the understanding of the sentence. In the case of a tie, the more recent symbol was used. These rules were used for adding or deleting symbols as well. ============================================================== The Translation Process There are many reasons why translations differ, besides the problems inherent in translating from a language where : each symbol represents a word that has multiple (sometimes very different) meanings; tenses, articles, and plurals are not indicated; and one symbol can represent either a noun or adjective, another a verb or adverb, another all four! What source is used : for WB and HSG, which version of what source; in the oldest sources, what modern symbols to use Accurately knowing all the possible English meanings for each symbol (and sometimes pairs of symbols), including changes in meaning over the millennia, and understanding ancient idioms Having to pick just one meaning for each symbol Organizing each sentence into something that makes sense, which is helped by understanding something of ancient Chinese grammar The cultural background, knowledge, biases, beliefs, and agenda of the translator affect every step but the first. “Agenda” refers to how the translator approaches the content of the DDJ : as a work of mysticism vs. philosophy vs. military strategy vs. advice to emperors, etc. The goals for this translation were : Include an English word or phrase for every Chinese symbol in the sentence Use exact translations of the Chinese symbols wherever possible Minimal interpretation of individual symbols, only where needed for clarity Use the same English word(s) for the same symbol(s) when appropriate As few added English words as possible to make it a correct English sentence No interpretation of the final translated sentence