@article{ART003150762},
author={Kim SoJung},
title={Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union},
journal={Journal of Chinese Language and Literature},
issn={1225-083X},
year={2024},
number={97},
pages={57-85}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kim SoJung
TI - Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union
JO - Journal of Chinese Language and Literature
PY - 2024
VL - null
IS - 97
PB - Chinese Literary Society Of Yeong Nam
SP - 57
EP - 85
SN - 1225-083X
AB - This study examines John Francis Davis’s English translation of Haoqiu zhuan (The Fortunate Union), a classical Chinese novel from the cai zi jia ren (talented scholar and beautiful lady) genre, recognized as one of the earliest Chinese novels translated into English. Davis’s translation sought to bridge the cultural gap between China and the West during a period of escalating tensions in British-Chinese relations. By positioning himself as a cultural mediator, Davis aimed to provide clarity and accessibility while educating his readers about Chinese customs and values.
The study analyzes Davis’s translation motivations and objectives, his use of paratexts such as prefaces and footnotes, and his translation strategies. Davis’s approach included significant cultural adjustment, often employing paraphrasing to enhance Western readers’ comprehension. He omitted certain Chinese idioms and customs that he deemed obscure or irrelevant to Western readers, and in some instances, restructured characters and scenes to meet Western expectations of a romantic narrative. However, this method resulted in a partial loss of the original text’s moral teachings and Confucian values. This paper also reviews the contemporary reception of The Fortunate Union, noting its positive appraisal as a more complete and faithful translation compared to earlier European renditions. This analysis highlights both the accomplishments and limitations of Davis’s cultural adaptations, reflecting the complexities and challenges of early Chinese-West literary translation.
KW - 중국(China);호구전(The Fortunate Union);존 프랜시스 데이비스(John Francis Davis);1829년(year 1829);번역 (translation);영어(English);로맨스(romance);파라텍스트 (paratexts);의역(liberal translation);문화 조정(cultural adjustment)
DO -
UR -
ER -
Kim SoJung. (2024). Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union. Journal of Chinese Language and Literature, 97, 57-85.
Kim SoJung. 2024, "Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union", Journal of Chinese Language and Literature, no.97, pp.57-85.
Kim SoJung "Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union" Journal of Chinese Language and Literature 97 pp.57-85 (2024) : 57.
Kim SoJung. Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union. 2024; 97 : 57-85.
Kim SoJung. "Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union" Journal of Chinese Language and Literature no.97(2024) : 57-85.
Kim SoJung. Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union. Journal of Chinese Language and Literature, 97, 57-85.
Kim SoJung. Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union. Journal of Chinese Language and Literature. 2024; 97 57-85.
Kim SoJung. Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union. 2024; 97 : 57-85.
Kim SoJung. "Building Bridges of Culture : Davis's Translation of The Fortunate Union" Journal of Chinese Language and Literature no.97(2024) : 57-85.
