A macroscopic perspective on translation of knowledge in China

Abstract

AbstractThe translation, dissemination and reception of knowledge has served as an excellent indicator of changing ideologies and the major catalyst for institutional changes, language reforms and social transformation in China. However, English representations of the Chinese tradition of translation (e.g.Hung 2005;Hung and Pollard 2009) have not incorporated research findings from Chinese studies (e.g.Cohen 1995;Amelung, Kurtz and Lackner 2001;Elman 2005) and tend to provide unsubstantiated generalizations and hasty conclusions. This article uses a combination of “cultural tool” (Even-Zohar 2005) and “culture planning” (Even-Zohar 2008) as a frame of reference to provide a macroscopic perspective on knowledge translation in different Chinese historical periods as “a means of planning” (Toury 2002: 166) to promote religious agendas, modernize traditional Chinese natural studies, Westernize educational and academic systems, facilitate modernization of the state or participate in global knowledge production.