In Defense of China: S. Wells Williams' Translation of Dongzhou Lieguozhi in the Anti-Chinese Movement of the 19th Century America

Abstract

Abstract: In 1854, American sinologist S. Wells Williams translated the first 19 chapters of The Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms (Dongzhou Lieguozhi) into English for the first time. In 1880, he revised and republished the first three chapters amidst the Anti-Chinese Movement. In this translation, Williams selected historical facts and fictional content, adding introductions and annotations to present the novel as a “historical record”, so as to spread Chinese knowledge, promote a positive image, and counteract anti-Chinese sentiments. This paper, using various archival sources, reconstructs the origins and motivations of Williams' translation, identifies the source text, and analyzes his choices in presenting Chinese history and culture. Through the case, it seeks to enhance understanding of the history of sinology and translating Chinese classical literature in the English-speaking world, revealing the complex connections between the overseas transmission of Chinese literature and Sino-American relations during this period.

Key words: S. Wells Williams, Dongzhou Lieguozhi, English translation of Chinese classical literature, Sino-American relations

摘要： 1854年,美国汉学家卫三畏首次将《东周列国志》前19回译入英文。1880年,在美国排华运动的背景下,他又将该译稿前三回重新修订发表,通过筛选其中史实和虚构内容、附加导言注释等手段,将这部历史演义小说包装成“历史记录”,借此宣扬正面的中国形象,抗衡排华思潮,是古典文学英译史上的独特个案。本文借助大量一手档案史料,重构卫译《东周列国志》的缘起和动机,考证其底本,并借助译文手稿辨析译者的选择,进而分析卫译本呈现出怎样的中国历史文化图景。通过该个案分析,本文希望增进我们对中国古典文学英译史和海外汉学史的理解,同时借助翻译的视角,揭示这一时期中国古典文学西传与中美国家政治之间隐蔽而复杂的关联。

关键词: 卫三畏, 《东周列国志》, 中国古典文学英译, 中美关系

Shuai Siyang. In Defense of China: S. Wells Williams' Translation of Dongzhou Lieguozhi in the Anti-Chinese Movement of the 19^th Century America[J]. Comparative Literature in China, 2025, 0(2): 106-123.

帅司阳. 为中国辩护：19世纪美国排华运动中卫三畏对《东周列国志》的翻译[J]. 中国比较文学, 2025, 0(2): 106-123.

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