A Report On The Chinese Translation Of Chinese Buddhism:A Volume Of Sketches,Historical,Descriptive,and Critical(Chapters 17 To 19)

Chinese Buddhism: a Volume of Sketches,Historical,Descriptive,and Critical(hereinafter referred to as Chinese Buddhism)by Joseph Edkins,a British sinologist and missionary to China,is a work that introduces Chinese Buddhism from a western perspective.Also,it has been an important resource for western scholars interested in the study of Chinese religion after its publication in 1880.Based on the author’s translation practice,this report pertains to chapters 17 to 19 of Chinese Buddhism,which is approximately 15,000 words.Chinese Buddhism is a Buddhist text that is unique in its vocabulary,writing,and content.As for vocabulary,a large number of third languages appear in the text,such as Wade-Giles and Sanskrit,and a clear comprehension of them is necessary for the quality of the translation;as for writing,the text requires the translator to have background knowledge about Buddhism.Furthermore,the translator would need to have access to great Buddhist resources to perform an adequate back-translation;in terms of content,the translated material includes two Buddhist scriptures that have been translated from Chinese into English,a first for western sinologists.The author has completed the process of translation practice by understanding the original text thoroughly,using the vernacular expressions and adapting the translation.This report applies the analytical framework of Comprehension,Expression and Adaptation proposed by Professor Li Changshuan.This study analyzes the difficulties and characteristics of translating from the above three levels and applies the theory of variational translation proposed by Professor Huang Zhonglian to the backtranslation of Buddhist scriptures.Lastly,the report consists of gains from personal experiences and shortcomings in translation practice,in an attempt to contribute modestly to the field of overseas Chinese studies in China.