| This paper studies the practice of science transmission in the Republic of China,which focus on the translation of Kexue Dagang.Kexue Dagang translated from The Outline of Science(1922),edited by British biologist,naturalist and science writer John Arthur Thomson(1861-1933).The book,which is very popular in the west,is still at the top of the list of western digital books.It also has different audio versions.All of the translators of the book are famous scientists who returned from studying in the United Stated.These scientists also take on various social responsibility of science.Therefore,both the original edition and the translators make The Outline of Science a typical example of the practice of Chinese modern science transmission.This paper is based on Kexue Dagang(two versions in 1923 and 1930)and the original edition as the research object,and studies the book's scientific transmission idea,the translator,the evaluation and the influence of the transmission of the book.Meanwhile,the paper takes the evolution,relativity,telecommunication technology,and most controversial Psychic Science,at that time,as an example,and studies the contents of each part and its characteristics,trying to have a certain understanding of Kexue Dagang and its transmission in the Republic of China.The main content of this paper:1.Study Kexue Dagang and its original edition.In this paper,the author reviewed the social background when the book was translated and published,and analyzed the author of the book and his idea of science transmission.2.Discuss four typical articles in chapter 38,according to the characteristics and trend of the western-learning that was introduced in the early Republic of China.The four articles are: How Darwinism Stands To-day,Applied Science?-The WirelessTelegraphy and Telephony,The Einstein Theory,and,with controversy,Psychic Science.So this part sorts out the theoretical points of each chapter mainly using the method the summarizing,and analyzes professor Thomson's scientific thinking,scientific attitude and his characteristics while he was telling a lively and interesting“science story”.3.Analyze the translators,who translated The Outline of Science into Chinese,and their professional affiliations and academic status.And this paper also compares the differences of the translation of the book and the differences between its two Chinese translations as well.4.Discuss the mode of Kexue Dagang and the evaluation of the readers at that time.Meanwhile,this paper will make a brief analysis about some excellent illustrations which are good for the transmission of The Outline of Science.The following conclusions are drawn from the above:1.The idea stressed in The Outline of Science and its understanding of science remain remarkable in the modern time.2.The focus of The Outline of Science is not only the knowledge,but the understanding of science as well.Therefore,as long as the narration holds the key to understanding the science,someone can let the reader understand some abstruse theories,such as the fundamental differences between the basic idea of Relativity and Newtonian theory,without using jargon and mathematical formula.3.At present,the translation and price of Kexue Dagang are not satisfactory enough.It has had a certain effect on the transmission of science,and then was compiled into the library of literature.Although there has been some improvement in the translation,there are many shortages.In addition,Kexue Dagang has transmitted the fun of science,which Thomson emphasized in his book,but with lacking of the knowledgeof science,the dynamic development of science and other aspects.With advanced transmission idea,solid and interesting content and extremely strong readability,The Outline of Science,a great work,is still popular in the west.However,compared with it,the popularity of its Chinese edition is quite different. |
PDF Full Text Request