Article published In:
FORUMVol. 18:1 (2020) ► pp.86–104
Translation and canon formation
Four decades of Chinese fiction in English translation
(1978–2018)
As an essential part of the “Globalization of Chinese Culture”
strategy, the translation of Chinese fiction into English has gained more
significance and deserves more academic attention. Through making a survey of
Chinese fiction in English translation from 1978 to 2018, the article not only
presents different trajectories of the development of Chinese fiction in English
translation in mainland China and the English-speaking countries but also shows
that different canons of Chinese fiction in English translation have been formed
in the course of this development. Reasons for the formation of the prevailing
canon(s) are explored and explained from perspectives taking into account
concrete factors such as ideology, poetics and patronage as well as influences
of the literary award mechanism. Based on this description and explanation, the
article concludes with a few suggestions for the future development of cultural
activity of introducing Chinese literature into English-speaking countries.
Article outline
- Introduction
- The canon of Chinese fiction in English translation
- Mechanisms of canon formation
- Ideology and canonization
- Poetics and canonization
- Patronage and canonization
- Literary awards and canonization
- Prediction for future development
- Conclusion
- Notes
-
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