On Qian Zhongshu's Conceptualization of Translation

This book brings new perspectives and insights to the discipline of translation studies at a time when Western theories dominate its main discourse. By highlighting the significant contribution of Chinese scholar Qian Zhongshu, which encompasses a theoretical probing of the process and product of translation in both China and the West, the author demonstrates how Qian's reconceptualization of the concept of translation expands the discourse to include and integrate concepts from the history of translation in China and enhances our understanding of the complexity of xin/faithfulness in the discourse of Chinese translation. The concept of "huajing", which is one of these cultural perspectives developed by Qian, transcends the conventional view of translation as a linguistic transfer, envisioning it, instead, as a dynamic realm where encounters with meaning between the textual worlds of China and the West can take place. Qian's translation criticism also subtly reflects his unique perspective on the possible reconciliation of the historical and cultural disruptions that have divided China and the West in modern times. Qian's emphasis on the compatibility and translatability of literary themes and thoughts between China and the West also facilitates genuine dialogue and mutual understanding between the two literary traditions, establishing a global literary network where Chinese and Western works coexist as integral components of world literature. Through a meticulous analysis of Qian's profound, though stylistically fragmentary, commentaries, the author reveals how his comparative vision creates connections by breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers, challenging notions of untranslatability that often hinder cross-cultural exchange, and anticipating an inclusive and globalized understanding of translation so urgently needed today.