1. Introduction

In Western Sinology, the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) is a classic that integrates thought, literature, and history, making its overseas dissemination particularly significant. In the English-speaking world, Burton Watson’s selected translations and William H. Nienhauser Jr.’s complete translation are two noteworthy versions. Watson’s translation emphasizes literary qualities, while Nienhauser’s rendition highlights the Shiji’s documentary nature, presenting the work to Western readers through a "literal translation" supplemented by paratexts. Paratexts include both intra- and extra-textual materials, which hold substantial academic value for specialized scholars. Nienhauser’s translation primarily targets overseas researchers, and its comprehensive, accurate translation—along with objective, detailed, and cutting-edge paratexts—has made it a staple reference for scholars. The paratexts in Nienhauser’s translation serve as instrumental tools for international researchers while also offering insights for domestic scholars engaged in translating Chinese classics. They reflect the translator’s deliberations and struggles, dynamically presenting the translation process and preserving tangible traces of cultural transference, warranting further study.

2. Tracing Origins: Nienhauser’s Selection of the Shiji Base Text

This section discusses the importance of base text selection in classical translation, particularly in Nienhauser’s Shiji translation. Huang Yongnian emphasizes the foundational role of base texts in classical textual studies, and Sinologists translating ancient texts must also confront this issue, as it affects the transmission of Chinese cultural values to Western readers. With numerous versions of the Shiji available, Nienhauser and his team devoted considerable effort to selecting a base text, ultimately choosing the 1959 punctuated edition by Zhonghua Book Company. During a research visit to Taiwan, Nienhauser discussed base text issues with Wang Qiugui, though he declined the suggestion to produce a new punctuated edition. However, he placed great emphasis on base text selection in his translation. In the preface, he mentioned considering a newly punctuated edition but concluded that his team lacked the capacity to undertake such a task, opting instead to address base text issues through scholarly paratexts. Nienhauser meticulously documented the chosen base text and other referenced materials in his translation, using footnotes and annotations to explain textual variations and research findings. Despite known issues with the 1959 edition, Nienhauser, after careful comparison, still selected it as the primary base text, referring to it as the "recognized standard edition." He also consulted other critical editions, such as the Baina Edition and the Renshou Edition, as well as various annotated versions. Nienhauser’s rigorous approach to base text selection offers a model for translating classical texts, as using a reliable base text helps prevent distortions and misinterpretations in cultural transmission, conveying the translator’s literary and cultural perspectives to target readers.

3. Interpreting Classics: Deciphering Ancient Chinese Texts Across Time and Space

This section explores textual errors and controversies in the transmission of classical texts and how Nienhauser addressed them in his Shiji translation. Through scholarly annotations in the paratexts, Nienhauser detailed relevant research findings to present the most authentic version of the Shiji to Western readers. In Shiji, Volume 79—Biographies of Fan Sui and Cai Ze, the debate over "Fan Sui" (范睢) versus "Fan Ju" (范雎) is a contentious and complex issue in academia. In the 1994 English translation, Nienhauser chose "Fan Sui" and explained this decision in a footnote. However, in the 2021 revised edition, the footnote was significantly altered, listing the usage of "Fan Sui" and "Fan Ju" across various Shiji editions while omitting references to Wang Shumin’s research. Nienhauser’s translation not only relied on existing historical materials but also incorporated the latest scholarly findings, using academic annotations to clarify ambiguities and controversies, reflecting his commitment to historical accuracy. These translations provide valuable academic references for overseas researchers, fostering deeper Western understanding of China.

4. Enhancing Scholarship: A Desk Reference for Western Researchers

Western scholarship on the Shiji has long focused on narrative translations, lacking comprehensive and systematic renditions. Czech Sinologist Timoteus Pokora once called for a new complete translation, and Nienhauser’s Shiji translation project fulfilled this academic need. Sinologist Michael Loewe emphasized the importance of clarifying textual ambiguities, listing commentators, tracing textual lineages, and identifying Western and Japanese translations and research aids—features all incorporated into Nienhauser’s paratexts. These paratexts provide updates on Sino-Western research, insights into traditional Chinese culture, information on translations in different languages, and research references, making them indispensable tools for scholars. American Sinologist Michael Nylan praised Nienhauser’s translation for surpassing others in comprehensiveness, accuracy, and functionality, offering a systematic way to study the Shiji. Nienhauser’s translation undergoes continuous revisions to incorporate archaeological and academic developments. Despite imperfections, Nienhauser and his team strive to enrich and refine the translation to meet scholarly demands. For instance, in the translation of Shiji: Annals of Qin, the revised edition added footnotes referencing Li Feng’s research on early Qin bronzes and ritual sites, demonstrating an awareness of the historical significance of events. Nienhauser’s translation has been widely praised for its scholarly rigor, functionality, and cultural depth, earning him the Humboldt Research Award and the Special Book Award of China, signifying international and official Chinese recognition of his work. With his extensive experience in textual criticism, classical Chinese reading proficiency, and translation skills—along with contributions from numerous experts—Nienhauser’s translation has gained widespread scholarly acceptance and use.

5. Conclusion

This section underscores the significance of Nienhauser’s complete Shiji translation in Western studies of Chinese history and culture, noting its strong academic rigor and monumental scale. While the paratexts may affect readability, they are crucial for a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. Paratexts serve not only as spaces for translational exchange but also as arenas for pragmatic strategic negotiations. Analyzing paratexts helps reveal translator motivations, target-reader preferences, and the academic value of translations. Nienhauser’s translation fills a gap in complete English renditions of the Shiji, offering guidance for future translations of Chinese classics and paving new pathways for Chinese cultural texts to enter the Western world.