Anne Frank in China: Translation, Adaptation, and Reception

Abstract

This article focuses on Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl, specifically on its introduction and reception in China. Since its first complete Chinese version, produced by Gao Niansheng, was published in 1989, The Diary has received continuous attention from Chinese translators, literary critics, and publishers. The article first delves into the translations and adaptations of The Diary in China, with a particular emphasis on the Chinese translations released within this timeframe. It then analyses themes in Chinese scholarship on Anne Frank, followed by an explication of why The Diary has been well-received in China. It also explores how, as a world literature classic, The Diary has inspired Chinese writers and critics dedicated to developing children’s literature. The article highlights that The Diary, written by a Jewish girl before and during the Holocaust, continues to inspire readers and scholars of all ages and offers valuable insights for Chinese audiences into the contemporary understanding of war, conflict, peace, and love.