Translation and Creation. Readings of Western Literature in Early Modern China, 1840–1918.

In the late Qing period, from the Opium War to the 1911 revolution, China absorbed the initial impact of Western arms, manufactures, science and culture, in that order. This volume of essays deals with the reception of Western literature, on the evidence of translations made. Having to overcome Chinese assumptions of cultural superiority, the perception that the West had a literature worth notice grew only gradually. It was not until the very end of the 19th century that a translation of a Western novel ( La dame aux camélias ) achieved popular acclaim. But this opened the floodgates: in the first decade of the 20th century, more translated fiction was published than original fiction. The core essays in this collection deal with aspects of this influx according to division of territory. Some take key works (e.g. Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Byron’s “The Isles of Greece”), some sample genres (science fiction, detective fiction, fables, political novels), the common attention being to the adjustments made by translators to suit the prevailing aesthetic, cultural and social norms, and/or the current needs and preoccupations of the receiving public. A broad overview of translation activities is given in the introduction. To present the subject in its true guise, that of a major cultural shift, supporting papers are included to fill in the background and to describe some of the effects of this foreign invasion on native literature. A rounded picture emerges that will be intelligible to readers who have no specialized knowledge of China. In The Late Qing Period, From The Opium War To The 1911 Revolution, China Absorbed The Initial Impact Of Western Arms, Manufactures, Science And Culture, In That Order. This Volume Of Essays Deals With The Reception Of Western Literature, On The Evidence Of Translations Made. Having To Overcome Chinese Assumptions Of Cultural Superiority, The Perception That The West Had A Literature Worth Notice Grew Only Gradually. It Was Not Until The Very End Of The 19th Century That A Translation Of A Western Novel (la Dame Aux Camelias) Achieved Popular Acclaim. But This Opened The Floodgates: In The First Decade Of The 20th Century, More Translated Fiction Was Published Than Original Fiction.the Core Essays In This Collection Deal With Aspects Of This Influx According To Division Of Territory. Some Take Key Works (e.g. Stowe S Uncle Tom S Cabin, Byron S The Isles Of Greece ), Some Sample Genres (science Fiction, Detective Fiction, Fables, Political Novels), The Common Attention Being To The Adjustments Made By Translators To Suit The Prevailing Aesthetic, Cultural And Social Norms, And/or The Current Needs And Preoccupations Of The Receiving Public. A Broad Overview Of Translation Activities Is Given In The Introduction.to Present The Subject In Its True Guise, That Of A Major Cultural Shift, Supporting Papers Are Included To Fill In The Background And To Describe Some Of The Effects Of This Foreign Invasion On Native Literature. A Rounded Picture Emerges That Will Be Intelligible To Readers Who Have No Specialized Knowledge Of China. 'In their contributions the authors reflect upon Levý's thinking on translation as a communication process and on Popovic's insistence on the importance of re-creating a text both at the surface and deep levels. Examples are drawn from literary translation, technical translation, from audio-visual translation and from interpreting and the authors point out that translators in all domains inevitably come up against linguistic, textual and other constraints, which, if they are to be resolved successfully, call upon a translator's and interpreter's strategies and creativity. The authors argue that this is the essence of professional decision-making in translation — according to Levý translation is a decision-making process — and that translation teachers should help students develop an understanding of translation strategies and of the vital role that creativity plays throughout the translation/interpreting process.' Based on the evidence of translations made, this volume deals with the reception of Western literature in China from 1840 to 1918. It deals with aspects of the influx of translated fiction and discusses the adjustments made by translators to suit the prevailing aesthetic, cultural and social norms.