Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19<sup>th</sup> Century in China as an Example

Wang Hai; Wang Haichao; Zhang Shuo

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13

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Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19^th Century in China as an Example

Wang Hai, Wang Haichao, Zhang Shuo

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 6, Issue 5)

Received: 26 June 2018 Accepted: 2 August 2018 Published: 12 October 2018

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Abstract

In this essay, we attempt to explore the implication of the pragmatic patterns of Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases in the English periodicals translated mostly by protestant missionaries during the 19^th century. With a keen interest in Cantonese and Lingnam cultures, foreign dwellers have launched English periodicals, aiming to familiarize their fellowmen with Lingnam’s local customs, and Chinese society in general. Such cultural distinctions embedded in numerous Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases have guided mission activities to conduct in local communities. We apply a deep analysis of the first hand missionary periodicals, and argue firstly, protestant missionaries translated Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases into English with model “Cantonese Transliteration + Liberal Translation (+ Paratext)”. Secondly, we find that while compiling English-Chinese dictionaries and publishing periodicals, protestant missionaries initially annotate a Cantonese entry by Roman alphabet, then translate it liberally, at times appending paratexts, which comment on cultural difference concerning the terms. In this view, the model of “Cantonese Transliteration + Liberal Translation (+ Paratext)” has been examined as one efficient way to promote Lingnam and Chinese culture into the West. One of methodological significance of this essay is it has systematically analysed the annotation methods prevailed in various foreign periodicals, for instance The Indo-Chinese Gleaner, The Canton Press, The Canton Miscellany, The Chinese Repository and so forth. Also the academic implication of this essay lies in the fact that it firstly has neatened the annotating system of Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases, and secondly, is a full endeavour to unpack how the annotation system has been generated and influenced on the transmission of Lingnam and Chinese culture.

Published in	International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 6, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13
Page(s)	154-162
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2018. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

English Periodicals in China, Lingnam-Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases, Pragmatics Pattern

References

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[2]	Qin Lizhai (1959 [1922]) A Short History of Chinese Newspaper Evolution, Zhang Jinglu (eds), Modern Publishing History in China (the fourth volume), Peking: Chung Hwa Book Co. p. 4.
[3]	Wang T’ao, Letters to Sun Maocai, Taoyuanchidu (II) (1983), Shen Yunlong (eds), Modern Chinese History Publishing (continued, 100 volume), Taipei: Haiwen Publishing Company, p. 88.
[4]	Liao Qiyi (2002) Vague Language and Translation in Literature—A Case Study of Comparative Research on The Da Vinci Code, Beijing: The Commercial Press, p. 232.
[5]	Li Quanshi, Li Minghua and Han Qiang (2010) Lingnam Culture (Revised), Guangzhou: Guangdong Provincial Publishing Group/Guangdong Peoples Publishing House, p. 14.
[6]	Wu Han (2014) A Translation Study on the Lingnam Public Slogans’ Characteristic, Crazy English (teacher’s edition), Vol. 4, pp. 172-176.
[7]	Zhong Weihe and Zuo Yan (2014) Translation and Going Globally of Lingnam and Chinese Culture, The Academic Journal, Vol. 4, pp. 154-158.
[8]	Hou, Guojin (2015) Pragmatics Translation and Interpretation Approach Helps Strategy of Chinese Culture Going Global, Social Sciences in China Press, p. 23.
[9]	Morrison, E. (2004) Memoirs of the life and labours of Robert Morrison, Guilin: Guangxi Normal University Press, p. 18.
[10]	Wylie, A. (2011[1867]) Memorials of Protestant Missionaries to the Chinese: Giving a List of their Publications and Obituary Notices of the Deceased, Shanghae: American Presbyterian Mission Press, pp. 11.
[11]	Morrison, R. (1865) A Dictionary of the Chinese Language, Shanghae: London Mission Press, London: Trübner & Co. reprinted, p. 387.
[12]	Wylie, A. (1867) Memorials of Protestant Missionaries to the Chinese: Giving a List of their Publications and Obituary Notices of the Deceased, Shanghae: American Presbyterian Mission Press, pp. 37.
[13]	Li Shaoming (2014) South Fubkien Dialect Religious Romanization Letters and Chinese Alphabet, Straits Education Research, Vol. 1, pp. 39-44.
[14]	Williams, S. W. (1896) A Syllabic Dictionary of the Chinese Language: arranged according to the Wu-Fang Yuen Yin, Pronunciation of the characters as Heard in Peking, Canton, Amoy and Shanghai (preface), Shanghai: American Presbyterian Mission Press.
[15]	Bridgman, E. C and Williams, S. W. (2002) The Announcement of The Chinese Repository’s Ceasing Publishing, Modern Chinese History Publishing (1 volume), Wuhan: Hubei Education Press, pp. 82-83.
[16]	The Canton Miscellany, 1831 (1):16-200.
[17]	The Indo-Chinese Gleaner, 1818 (5):107-44.
[18]	The Indo-Chinese Gleaner, 1818 (8):143-148.
[19]	The Indo-Chinese Gleaner, 1819 (1):5-148.
[20]	The Chinese Repository, 1833 (5):150-59.
[21]	Martin, W. A. P. (1910) The Awakening of China, New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, p. 291.
[22]	Wang Dongjie (2011) The Gentry’s Effort and Achievement of Applying the Fanqie Method to Chinese Pronunciations in Late Qing Dynasty, The Journal of Sichuan University (social science edition), Vol. 4, pp. 36-55..
[23]	The Indo-Chinese Gleaner, 1822 (1):233.
[24]	He Bingsong and Cheng Yingzhang (1926) Discussion on Foreign Proper Names Translated into Chinese, The Oriental Magazine, Vol. 22-23, pp. 72-85.
[25]	The Chinese Repository, 1833 (4):145.
[26]	The Chinese Repository, 1837 (8):191-192.
[27]	The Chinese Repository, 1846 (6):319.
[28]	The Chinese Repository, 1841 (2):104.
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[30]	He Bingsong and Cheng Yingzhang (1926) Discussion on Foreign Proper Names Translated into Chinese, The Oriental Magazine, Vol. 22-23, pp. 72-85.
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[33]	The Canton Miscellany, 1831 (3):198.
[34]	The Chinese Repository, 1833 (6):304-5.

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APA Style

Wang Hai, Wang Haichao, Zhang Shuo. (2018). Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19th Century in China as an Example. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 6(5), 154-162. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13

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ACS Style

Wang Hai; Wang Haichao; Zhang Shuo. Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19th Century in China as an Example. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2018, 6(5), 154-162. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13

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AMA Style

Wang Hai, Wang Haichao, Zhang Shuo. Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19th Century in China as an Example. Int J Lang Linguist. 2018;6(5):154-162. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13,
  author = {Wang Hai and Wang Haichao and Zhang Shuo},
  title = {Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19th Century in China as an Example},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {6},
  number = {5},
  pages = {154-162},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20180605.13},
  abstract = {In this essay, we attempt to explore the implication of the pragmatic patterns of Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases in the English periodicals translated mostly by protestant missionaries during the 19th century. With a keen interest in Cantonese and Lingnam cultures, foreign dwellers have launched English periodicals, aiming to familiarize their fellowmen with Lingnam’s local customs, and Chinese society in general. Such cultural distinctions embedded in numerous Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases have guided mission activities to conduct in local communities. We apply a deep analysis of the first hand missionary periodicals, and argue firstly, protestant missionaries translated Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases into English with model “Cantonese Transliteration + Liberal Translation (+ Paratext)”. Secondly, we find that while compiling English-Chinese dictionaries and publishing periodicals, protestant missionaries initially annotate a Cantonese entry by Roman alphabet, then translate it liberally, at times appending paratexts, which comment on cultural difference concerning the terms. In this view, the model of “Cantonese Transliteration + Liberal Translation (+ Paratext)” has been examined as one efficient way to promote Lingnam and Chinese culture into the West. One of methodological significance of this essay is it has systematically analysed the annotation methods prevailed in various foreign periodicals, for instance The Indo-Chinese Gleaner, The Canton Press, The Canton Miscellany, The Chinese Repository and so forth. Also the academic implication of this essay lies in the fact that it firstly has neatened the annotating system of Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases, and secondly, is a full endeavour to unpack how the annotation system has been generated and influenced on the transmission of Lingnam and Chinese culture.},
 year = {2018}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19th Century in China as an Example
AU  - Wang Hai
AU  - Wang Haichao
AU  - Zhang Shuo
Y1  - 2018/10/12
PY  - 2018
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 154
EP  - 162
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13
AB  - In this essay, we attempt to explore the implication of the pragmatic patterns of Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases in the English periodicals translated mostly by protestant missionaries during the 19th century. With a keen interest in Cantonese and Lingnam cultures, foreign dwellers have launched English periodicals, aiming to familiarize their fellowmen with Lingnam’s local customs, and Chinese society in general. Such cultural distinctions embedded in numerous Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases have guided mission activities to conduct in local communities. We apply a deep analysis of the first hand missionary periodicals, and argue firstly, protestant missionaries translated Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases into English with model “Cantonese Transliteration + Liberal Translation (+ Paratext)”. Secondly, we find that while compiling English-Chinese dictionaries and publishing periodicals, protestant missionaries initially annotate a Cantonese entry by Roman alphabet, then translate it liberally, at times appending paratexts, which comment on cultural difference concerning the terms. In this view, the model of “Cantonese Transliteration + Liberal Translation (+ Paratext)” has been examined as one efficient way to promote Lingnam and Chinese culture into the West. One of methodological significance of this essay is it has systematically analysed the annotation methods prevailed in various foreign periodicals, for instance The Indo-Chinese Gleaner, The Canton Press, The Canton Miscellany, The Chinese Repository and so forth. Also the academic implication of this essay lies in the fact that it firstly has neatened the annotating system of Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases, and secondly, is a full endeavour to unpack how the annotation system has been generated and influenced on the transmission of Lingnam and Chinese culture.
VL  - 6
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Author Information

Wang Hai

School of Interpreting and Translation Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China
Wang Haichao

Department of Anthropology and Sociology, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, London, the United Kingdom
Zhang Shuo

School of Interpreting and Translation Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China

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Wang Hai, Wang Haichao, Zhang Shuo. (2018). Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19th Century in China as an Example. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 6(5), 154-162. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13

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ACS Style

Wang Hai; Wang Haichao; Zhang Shuo. Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19th Century in China as an Example. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2018, 6(5), 154-162. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13

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AMA Style

Wang Hai, Wang Haichao, Zhang Shuo. Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19th Century in China as an Example. Int J Lang Linguist. 2018;6(5):154-162. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13,
  author = {Wang Hai and Wang Haichao and Zhang Shuo},
  title = {Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19th Century in China as an Example},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {6},
  number = {5},
  pages = {154-162},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20180605.13},
  abstract = {In this essay, we attempt to explore the implication of the pragmatic patterns of Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases in the English periodicals translated mostly by protestant missionaries during the 19th century. With a keen interest in Cantonese and Lingnam cultures, foreign dwellers have launched English periodicals, aiming to familiarize their fellowmen with Lingnam’s local customs, and Chinese society in general. Such cultural distinctions embedded in numerous Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases have guided mission activities to conduct in local communities. We apply a deep analysis of the first hand missionary periodicals, and argue firstly, protestant missionaries translated Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases into English with model “Cantonese Transliteration + Liberal Translation (+ Paratext)”. Secondly, we find that while compiling English-Chinese dictionaries and publishing periodicals, protestant missionaries initially annotate a Cantonese entry by Roman alphabet, then translate it liberally, at times appending paratexts, which comment on cultural difference concerning the terms. In this view, the model of “Cantonese Transliteration + Liberal Translation (+ Paratext)” has been examined as one efficient way to promote Lingnam and Chinese culture into the West. One of methodological significance of this essay is it has systematically analysed the annotation methods prevailed in various foreign periodicals, for instance The Indo-Chinese Gleaner, The Canton Press, The Canton Miscellany, The Chinese Repository and so forth. Also the academic implication of this essay lies in the fact that it firstly has neatened the annotating system of Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases, and secondly, is a full endeavour to unpack how the annotation system has been generated and influenced on the transmission of Lingnam and Chinese culture.},
 year = {2018}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Pragmatics Pattern of Translating Lingnam Culture-Loaded Words and Phrases—Taking English Periodicals of the First Half of 19th Century in China as an Example
AU  - Wang Hai
AU  - Wang Haichao
AU  - Zhang Shuo
Y1  - 2018/10/12
PY  - 2018
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 154
EP  - 162
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20180605.13
AB  - In this essay, we attempt to explore the implication of the pragmatic patterns of Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases in the English periodicals translated mostly by protestant missionaries during the 19th century. With a keen interest in Cantonese and Lingnam cultures, foreign dwellers have launched English periodicals, aiming to familiarize their fellowmen with Lingnam’s local customs, and Chinese society in general. Such cultural distinctions embedded in numerous Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases have guided mission activities to conduct in local communities. We apply a deep analysis of the first hand missionary periodicals, and argue firstly, protestant missionaries translated Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases into English with model “Cantonese Transliteration + Liberal Translation (+ Paratext)”. Secondly, we find that while compiling English-Chinese dictionaries and publishing periodicals, protestant missionaries initially annotate a Cantonese entry by Roman alphabet, then translate it liberally, at times appending paratexts, which comment on cultural difference concerning the terms. In this view, the model of “Cantonese Transliteration + Liberal Translation (+ Paratext)” has been examined as one efficient way to promote Lingnam and Chinese culture into the West. One of methodological significance of this essay is it has systematically analysed the annotation methods prevailed in various foreign periodicals, for instance The Indo-Chinese Gleaner, The Canton Press, The Canton Miscellany, The Chinese Repository and so forth. Also the academic implication of this essay lies in the fact that it firstly has neatened the annotating system of Lingnam-culture-loaded words and phrases, and secondly, is a full endeavour to unpack how the annotation system has been generated and influenced on the transmission of Lingnam and Chinese culture.
VL  - 6
IS  - 5
ER  -

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