Politics in translating Utopia in China: a case study of Dai Liuling’s three versions

Abstract

When examining the dissemination of Thomas More’s Utopia in China, it is imperative to recognize the pivotal role played by a specific translator, Dai Liuling, who facilitated an unprecedented proliferation and readership of the work in the Chinese context. Dai’s translation of Utopia exists three distinct versions: 1956, 1982, and 1997. The 1956 version represents Dai’s initial translation, which was followed by a retranslation in 1982. Due to the popularity of the 1982 version in mainland China, it was subsequently re-editioned in Taiwan in 1997, with modifications to the paratextual section. Through a meticulous analysis of these three versions, with a specific focus on the evolution of paratexts and textual translation, we can observe how Dai’s translations of Utopia were intricately influenced by the political-ideological contexts. Simultaneously, an examination of Dai’s translations can elucidate the trajectory of Utopia’s dissemination in China.