Sinicization characteristics of American periodical The Child’s Paper and its effects in Late Imperial China

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the 19th century, the American Tract Society (ATS) published The Child’s Paper (1852–1871) in the United States. Amid the noteworthy Eastward Transmission of Western Learning movement three eponymous Xiaohai Yuebao(hereinafter referred to as TheXHYB）were published in Late Imperial China with the Eastward Spread of Western Learning. By exploring the relationship between the American periodical The Child’s Paper and three editions of The XHYB in the course of Late Imperial China, this study attempts to shed light on the Sinicization characteristics of The XHYB and its effects in Late Imperial China. The study has found that there existed transplantation and translation by tracing back to their historical origins and XHYB in Late Imperial China. In the process of transplanting, translating, and dissemination of ATS’s The Child’s Paper in Late Imperial China, it highlights the Sinicization characteristics: waning of religious indoctrination, nativization of the periodical management, localization of language selection and secularization of illustrated narrative, which had deep effects on children’s education, thoughts andviews on children and children’s literature in Late Imperial China.