Title
Does 'translation' reflect a narrower concept than 'fanyi'? : On the impact of Western theories on China and the concern about Eurocentrism
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Translation and Interpreting Studies : The Journal of the American Translation and Interpreting Studies Association
Publication Date
1-1-2015
Volume
10
Issue
2
First Page
223
Last Page
242
Keywords
Western, translation studies, Eurocentrism, fanyi, translation
Abstract
Taking China as a case in point, this paper addresses the concern among some Western scholars that the concept of translation in the European tradition is narrower than in some other cultures so that the spread of Western concepts and theories to the rest of the world is threatening “biodiversity”. A re-examination of the evidence presented shows that this claim is based on a series of misinterpretation of ‘fanyi,’ the Chinese word for ‘translation’. In fact, the traditional concept of translation in China used to be very narrow and rigid. It gradually loosened up only after the transfer of Western translation theories into China, which challenged traditional thinking. Ironically, the concern of the few Chinese scholars who resist Westernization is that the process has put an end to uniformity. As a result of the transfer of Western academic norms and ‘pure’ translation theories, translation research in China has become more sophisticated. The influence of Western ideas in China has caused some concern about Eurocentrism mainly among Western scholars. This concern, however, might itself be Eurocentric since Sinocentrism is the major cause for concern among most Chinese scholars.
DOI
10.1075/tis.10.2.04cha
Print ISSN
19322798
E-ISSN
18762700
Publisher Statement
Copyright © John Benjamins Publishing Company
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Chang, N. F. (2015). Does 'translation' reflect a narrower concept than 'fanyi'?: On the impact of Western theories on China and the concern about Eurocentrism. Translation and Interpreting Studies: The Journal of the American Translation and Interpreting Studies Association, 10(2), 223-242. doi: 10.1075/tis.10.2.04cha
