The Studies On The Translation Of Chinese Classical Novels Published By The Asiatic Journal

The Asiatic Journal(1816-1845)is a periodical magazine founded by the British East India Company,which takes Asia as its theme and covers information about British colonies and neighboring countries.Due to the needs of commerce and trade,the publication also includes Oriental Literature and Asian language materials,especially the translation of Chinese classical novels is also an important part.This paper studies the translation of Chinese classical novels published in the Asiatic Journal,and selects some representative translated texts for case analysis,such as San-kwo-che,Shih urh low,Kin koo ke kwan and Se hoo shih wei,in order to explore the translator’s choice of translation orientation,translation strategies and principles.At the same time,it also reveals the cultural significance of the translation practice of Chinese classical novels contained in this journal.The first chapter of this thesis gives a brief overview of the Asiatic Journal and the Chinese classical novels it published and discuss the characteristics and theme orientation of the novel published in the journal.As an early English journal that recorded Chinese classical novels in modern times,the Asiatic Journal had the characteristics of various themes,serial publication and so on.It introduced Chinese literature to western readers earlier,which promoted the spread of Chinese classical novels in the west to a certain extent.In the second chapter,the author tries to understand the collision and communication between Chinese classical novels and Western literature and culture in the early stage of Sinology through specific translation practices and the translation of novels in the West.Finally,the third chapter mainly summarizes the translation skills and strategies of Chinese classical novels in the Asiatic Journal,and discusses the prudence and choices made by sinologists in translating Chinese literary styles at that time.This study puts the translation of classic novels from the Asiatic Journal into the historical framework of literary and cultural exchanges between China and the West to investigate the dialogue and communication between the two civilizations.The research on this journal can not only provide the readers who understand modern English journals with data and materials,supplement the academic circle’s understanding of this journal,but also make theoretical supplement for the development of the history of Sino-English academic exchange through the study on the translation of classical novels,which is of great significance to promote the going out of contemporary Chinese culture.