by Jael Ravalyn

Created on: September 12, 2010

The history of translation in China is extensive and profound enough in impact to be almost epic.  China's philosophical, political, and cultural outlooks change in distinct relation to the translation of other nation’s languages to its own.  China's translation history spans over 3,000 years.

1.) Translation in China: five regions function as one, Zhou Dynasty (1100 BC)

Originally historical records note only the translators within China's borders as it was separated into five regions who spoke languages distinct to each area.  For coherence amongst the land, translators functioned as officers for this specific role. 

During the time of the Zhou Dynasty, then, the significance of communicating, and therefore translating, was given import as an imperial scholar Jia Gongyan.  He gave translating an official definition, “translation is to replace one written language with another without changing the meaning for mutual understanding."

2.) Translation in China: foreign philosophy becomes native, Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 BC)

Taoism was a relatively unchallenged philosophy in China until Buddhism gained a spotlight through foreign contact with India.  Their Buddhist Sutras were translated from Sanskrit to reach the people of China on a wide scale.  A significant translation issue arose, what should be the guiding principle:

• Should translation be “literal” word by word from the original language to the target language to remain true to the text?

• Should it be “free” as in a translation that is allowed to adjust enough to make sense to the target audience of this differing culture?

A school specifically for translation was erected.  Reaching into the eighth century, Sanskrit translation was refined and continued by Buddhist monks giving Taoism a significant rival. A Toaist Monk, however bridged the gap by translating Buddhist sutras himself, Xuan Zang also offered middle ground to the translation queries admonishing that translation must be BOTH truthful and understandable.

3.)  Song dynasties (960-1279) From religion to global education through translation

Branching out from philosophy, translation began introducing Western interests in Science and affecting scholarly interests in China.  Works on elements, astronomy, and even Plato’s Logic debuted in China.  Religion was not entirely left behind as in the 16th century Christian texts from missionaries

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