The Translation And Acceptance Of Chinese Popular Literature In France

Chinese popular literature was translated to France at the beginning of18th century. Although novels and dramas were not that important in the opinion of Chinese scholars, they became the main body of western literature at that time. The French concentrated on popular literature of ancient China. Before the translation, the French imagined and created "Chinese stories". There were even some pseudographs that claimed to be translated from Chinese. This thesis will discuss the translation and acceptance of Chinese popular literature in France by reading texts. And the thesis is mainly discussing the vision of expectation of the French, the translation and its influence, the function of the text, the translators and the standards of choosing texts.The first part discourses the anticipation field of vision. Before the18th century, the French knew little about China. They made up the first impression of China with imaginations, and their impression influenced the translation. The second part takes translations in " A description of the empire of China and Chinese-Tartary, together with the kingdoms of Korea, and Tibet " as examples, comparing the translation with the original one. Translators and the compiler changed the texts, making them more interesting and easier to be understood. They also insisted on the morally edifying sense of Chinese stories. Western writers became interested in these stories. They adapted Chinese stories, which attracted many westerners. The third part is devoted to functions of texts. Some of the translations are not literary works. They are used in the studies of Chinese language and Chinese culture. In the last part, translators and the selection of texts has been analyzed. There are three groups of translators in France: Jesuits, Sinologists and amateurs. There are also many Chinese translators who introduced Chinese popular literature to France. Translators have different purposes which make their translations present different features. And they chose different texts according to their cognition and interest. On the other hand, readers’ tastes are also very important:translations pander to people’s liking for mystery stories and exoticism.