The Concept of “Chinese Drama” in Early Britain: A Case Study of the Translation, Criticism, and Adaptation of Laou-Seng-Urh

Abstract

Abstract: In the 19^th century the British sinologist John Francis Davis translated Laou-Seng-Urh, which was the first Yuan drama directly translated from Chinese to English, and also the first translation of a Chinese comedy in Europe. Laou-Seng-Urh was introduced as “belles lettres,” but its acceptance by the British intellectuals at that time was influenced by the complex diplomatic and trade context between China and Britain. For a long time, the British regarded this drama as a tool to interpret China, ignoring its entertainment function as popular literature, until 1923, when Laou-Seng-Urh was performed on the European stage. Miss Pax Robertson produced Yuan drama in the form of straight plays, which may have responded to the adaption and performance of the early intercultural theater. This article examines the complete intercultural journey of Laou-Seng-Urh from its translation, criticism, adaptation and theatrical exhibition, reveals its dissemination and reception context in England, and discusses the British concept of Chinese drama.

Key words: Concept of Chinese drama, John Francis Davis, Laou-Seng-Urh, Lew Yuen Wae

摘要： 19世纪英国汉学家德庇时翻译的《老生儿》是首部直接从中文原典译为英文的元杂剧,也是欧洲第一部中国“喜剧”译本。《老生儿》是作为“纯文学”被译介给英国读者的,但当时英国知识界对《老生儿》的接受裹挟着中英两国复杂的外交、贸易语境。长期以来,英国人将《老生儿》视为解读中国的工具,忽略它作为通俗文学的娱乐功能,直到1923年,帕克斯·罗伯逊将《老生儿》搬上欧洲舞台。罗伯逊用西方话剧形式搬演中国元杂剧,完成了从改编到演出的全过程。本文通过考察《老生儿》从翻译、批评到改编、上演的完整跨文化戏剧之旅,呈现《老生儿》在英国的传播与接受语境,讨论英国社会围绕《老生儿》译本而形成的中国戏剧观念。

关键词: 中国戏剧观念, 德庇时, 《老生儿》, 《刘员外》

Xu Shuangshuang. The Concept of “Chinese Drama” in Early Britain: A Case Study of the Translation, Criticism, and Adaptation of Laou-Seng-Urh[J]. Comparative Literature in China, 2023, 0(3): 45-59.

许双双. 英国早期“中国戏剧”观念——以《老生儿》英译、评论与编演为中心[J]. 中国比较文学, 2023, 0(3): 45-59.

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