A Brief History of Western Translation (Revised Edition)

Author: Tan Zaixi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-04
Features: This book is designated by the Ministry of Education as a "Graduate Teaching Textbook." It covers the history of Western translation practices and the development of translation thought across various historical periods, including ancient, medieval, Renaissance, modern, and contemporary times. It ranges from the earliest documented translation works in ancient Rome to the latest achievements in translation theory from several Western countries in the 21st century. Based on the original book, the author has comprehensively revised the entire work, updated the appendices, and corrected errors from the previous edition. Additionally, a significant amount of new content has been added, reflecting the latest research findings in Western translation studies. As the first systematic monograph on the history of Western translation in China and the Chinese-speaking region, this book holds high reference value. It is written in a concise and readable manner, making it suitable for students and faculty in foreign language and translation programs at universities and colleges. The current revision maintains the original book's basic framework.
Chapter 1 provides an overview of the general outline, changes, and development of Western translation practices and theory. It offers the author's perspectives on the division and nature of several major developmental stages and articulates the significance and value of studying the history of Western translation from a historical perspective. In the subsequent chapters, the development of Western translation is briefly reviewed period by period and class by class. The book emphasizes the incorporation of relevant research findings from both domestic and international sources, striving to highlight key points. It provides narratives and critiques of representative figures, works, schools of thought, and significant historical events in Western translation, especially since the 20th century. The book offers in-depth yet accessible analyses and discussions on the mutual promotion, evolution, and development between translation practice and translation theory. Furthermore, it elaborates on the author's fundamental understanding and insights into the nature and direction of the development of translation thought and theory.