1 Introduction

The establishment and development of translation studies as an independent discipline, particularly the rapid development and fruitful achievements of Chinese translation research, were discussed. With the advancement of technology and professionalization of translation, the translation discipline is facing new challenges and opportunities, and it has become important to conduct meta disciplinary reflection on the translation discipline. The article points out the shortcomings in current translation research, namely the lack of awareness of meta research on the history of translation studies, which leads to a lack of in-depth exploration of the core and fundamental issues of translation studies history. This hinders the development of research on the history of translation studies and fails to fully realize its value and role. The article proposes that a meta reflection on the basic concepts and disciplinary history of translation studies can help clarify the development of translation studies. This article will start with tracing the concept of translation history and conduct a meta disciplinary reflection on the research process of Chinese translation history, aiming to provide new perspectives and directions for future research on Chinese translation history, promote the comprehensive maturity of the Chinese translation discipline, and promote the prosperity and progress of the translation industry.

The concept of "History of Translation Studies"

In depth exploration of the concept of "history of translation studies" emphasized the importance of meta reflection on the concept, nature, scope, positioning, and objectives of the history of translation studies. The chapter first traces the history of the term "translation studies", from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period before the Sui and Tang dynasties to its evolution in the modern disciplinary sense, demonstrating its rich historical significance. Subsequently, the term "history" was defined with two meanings, and different scholars' definitions and understandings of translation history were introduced, emphasizing the difference between translation studies and translation history. Translation studies history focuses more on the history of translation as a discipline. The chapter also discusses the scope of the history of translation studies, dividing it into the history of translation research and the history of translation disciplines, and further subdividing it into horizontal and vertical research levels. The purpose of studying the history of translation studies is to summarize historical experience, reflect on the current situation, and predict future trends, in order to promote the development of translation studies. Through a multi-level and multi-dimensional research framework, we can comprehensively and deeply understand and explore the history of translation studies, providing a broader perspective and richer methods for future research.

3 Research History of Translation Studies in China

The research on the history of Chinese translation studies has gone through a hundred years and can be divided into three stages: inception, development, and prosperity. The initial stage (1927-1978) mainly focused on compiling historical materials on translation theory during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, with the goal of promoting translation teaching and meeting the needs of the construction of new democratic culture. The characteristic of the development stage (1978-2000) is the large-scale excavation and organization of translation theory historical materials, the use of empirical methods, and the development of themes, patterns, and levels, shifting from description to interpretation. The characteristics of the prosperous stage (from 2000 to present) are systematic and in-depth historical criticism and forward-looking thinking, multidimensional research topics, diverse methods, and diverse writing modes. The research methods of the history of Chinese translation studies are becoming increasingly diverse, reflecting interdisciplinary nature and diverse writing modes, but it is necessary to strengthen the grasp of the overall context of the history of translation studies. Future research should deeply explore and organize historical materials on translation studies, strengthen the application of historical theories, balance micro level research and macro level grasp, and leverage the important role of translation history research in promoting the development of Chinese translation studies.

Prospects for the Study of Translation History in China

The importance of studying the history of Chinese translation studies was emphasized, and three main directions for future research were proposed. Firstly, it is necessary to strengthen the awareness of disciplinary history, recognize the independence, integrity, and national characteristics of the history of Chinese translation studies, and conduct a source and source analysis of relevant concepts from the perspective of conceptual history, in order to demonstrate the development trajectory and historical experience of Chinese translation studies. Secondly, leveraging the multiple roles of the history of translation studies, including recording, describing, summarizing, interpreting, and criticizing the development history of translation studies, is of great significance for reflecting on the current situation, promoting development, and advancing the translation industry. Research should highlight the tone of historiography, broaden research horizons, focus on the combination of internal and external history, macro and micro history, and incorporate translation history works as textbooks into the classroom. Finally, deepen the meta research on the history of translation studies, draw on the theoretical methods and achievements of Chinese and Western translation historiography, conduct meta reflection on the theoretical methods, research paradigms, and writing modes of translation studies history, reveal problems, and explore effective countermeasures to promote the comprehensive maturity of the Chinese translation discipline.

5 Conclusion

The research on the history of Chinese translation studies has gone through a hundred years and can be divided into three stages: inception, development, and prosperity. In 1927, Jiang Yizhen wrote "A General Theory of Translation Studies", which opened the way for research. After the reform and opening up in 1978, research resumed and rapidly developed. In the 21st century, research has become increasingly prosperous, showing a trend of multidimensionality and diversification. However, there are problems such as unclear conceptual definition, insufficient systematization and theorization, and a lack of awareness in the study of translation history. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen the awareness of studying the history of chemistry, give full play to the multiple functions of translation history, deepen meta research, and promote the development of translation discipline.