Auto-Communication in English-Chinese Translation:A Case Study of Yan Fu's Translation of Evolution and Ethics

Abstract

's translation of Huxley's Evolution and Ethics, known as Tian Yan Lun ( 天演 论 ), is a seminal work of intellectual enlightenment in modern China that contributed significantly to the cultural shaping and political changes of the late Qing society. Despite its importance, Yan's translation was not a direct rendering but rather a cultural translation that took into account the cultural context and audience's receptivity. The strategies he adopted to achieve communication with readers included intextuality and setting communicative threads, enabling the translation to integrate into the cultural context of the target language and achieve auto-communication. The evocative and poetic functions of the target text attracted a wider audience and were influential among several political factions in modern China. As such, this paper aims to analyze in detail the auto-communicative process of Yan's translation and the strategies he employed to achieve cultural integration, which remain significant today.