Translating Metaphysics: A Preliminary Study on the Earliest English Translation of Tao-Te-Ching
Author(s): Yao Dadui
Pages: 126-136
Year: 2016 Issue: 4
Journal: Chinese Culture Research
Keyword: The Earliest English Translation of Tao-Te-Ching; Yale Manuscript of Tao Te-Ching; John Chalmers; Stanislas A.Julien;
Abstract: John Chalmers’ s English translation of Tao-Te-Ching in 1868 was thought to be the earliest of its English versions. Nevertheless,a newly-discovered manuscript of Tao-Te-Ching at the Yale University Library completed its rendering in 1859. This copy was prepared by a student in an episcopal mission school in China,for E. C. Bridgman,the first American missionary to China. After Bridgman ’s death,the manuscript went to the hands of S. W.William,and later to Yale. After making comparisons among various versions,this article examines the problem of how the metaphysical term "Tao"was translated in certain contexts.The Yale manuscript follows the scientific method originally adopted in S. A. Julian’s French translation. But,unlike Chalmer’s English translation,it does not intend to compare Tao-Te-Ching with Christianity in all respects. Both the Yale manuscript and Chalmers’ s version are concise and simple,though the Yale version might be more objective than that of Chalmers’ s.
Pages: 126-136
Year: 2016 Issue: 4
Journal: Chinese Culture Research
Keyword: The Earliest English Translation of Tao-Te-Ching; Yale Manuscript of Tao Te-Ching; John Chalmers; Stanislas A.Julien;
Abstract: John Chalmers’ s English translation of Tao-Te-Ching in 1868 was thought to be the earliest of its English versions. Nevertheless,a newly-discovered manuscript of Tao-Te-Ching at the Yale University Library completed its rendering in 1859. This copy was prepared by a student in an episcopal mission school in China,for E. C. Bridgman,the first American missionary to China. After Bridgman ’s death,the manuscript went to the hands of S. W.William,and later to Yale. After making comparisons among various versions,this article examines the problem of how the metaphysical term "Tao"was translated in certain contexts.The Yale manuscript follows the scientific method originally adopted in S. A. Julian’s French translation. But,unlike Chalmer’s English translation,it does not intend to compare Tao-Te-Ching with Christianity in all respects. Both the Yale manuscript and Chalmers’ s version are concise and simple,though the Yale version might be more objective than that of Chalmers’ s.
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