An overview of the dissemination of western learning in late‐Qing China

Abstract The article discusses the important role of translation in the introduction of Western learning in China. The author distinguishes between four stages which are characterised by differences in approaches, developments in translation procedures, and a widening of the text types actually translated. The first period from 1811–1842 was characterised by translation of religious works, but had little impact beyond the coastal regions and was not viewed as anything but normal cultural interchange. The second stage from 1843–1860 was brought about by the Opium War. The War had established treaty towns which became centres of translational activity. Although religious writing continued to make up the largest part of the translated texts and also introduced the system of ‘Missionary speaks ‐ Chinese writes’, there was a fair sprinkling of scientific books which led to a trend towards the wish to understand Western learning among Chinese intellectuals. The third stage (1860–1900) was heralded, once again, ...