1. Introduction

In his congratulatory letter to the World Conference on China Studies · Shanghai Forum, President Xi Jinping proposed that under the initiative of mutual learning among civilizations, the translation of Chinese literature is an important part of China's "going global" strategy, with sinologists playing a bridging role. Professor Zhu Zhenwu's "Trilogy on the English Dissemination of Chinese Stories" emerged in this context, focusing on the micro-narratives and writings of over fifty Western sinologists to explore macro-level issues such as translation strategies, dissemination effects, and value recognition in the English translation of Chinese literature. It provides textual evidence and strategic insights for telling Chinese stories well and facilitating mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations.

2. Overview of the Sinologist Portraits

Using a historical framework, the book offers a panoramic review of the sinologist community engaged in the English translation of Chinese literature, presenting a comprehensive picture of the history of Chinese literary translation into English, from ancient to modern and contemporary works, as well as overseas Chinese literature in English. Based on an extensive review of Chinese and foreign literature, the author not only traces the academic journeys and research achievements of overseas sinologists but also recounts their emotional ties to China and life stories. Through case studies and inductive analysis, the author explores issues such as sinologists' translation motivations, material selection criteria, and translation strategies. In The Eastward Spread of Chinese Learning and Stones from Other Hills, the author vividly portrays each sinologist's unique "Chinese connection," while Balancing Domestication and Foreignization systematically examines the dynamic balance sinologists seek between domestication and foreignization strategies in translation practice. By identifying commonalities among sinologists through individual studies, the author reflects the postmodernist paradigm of "fragmented research." The book adopts a micro-perspective to explore sinologists' psychological journeys and cultural inclinations in the process of translating Chinese literature, then situates them within a macro-process for detailed analysis, elucidating the Eastern sentiments and Western perspectives of different historical periods in the "eastward spread of Chinese learning" and delving into key issues such as the era-specific psychology embedded in translation commentaries. Professor Zhu Zhenwu's writing philosophy and academic framework are distinctive in the field of sinology studies both domestically and internationally.

3. A New Paradigm for Writing the History of Chinese Literary Translation into English

The book discusses a new paradigm for writing the history of Chinese literary translation into English, noting that while domestic scholars have made significant achievements in this field, the research paradigm has largely been translation-centered, neglecting the importance of sinologists. The author emphasizes the roles of sinologists as translators, researchers, and disseminators, as well as their impact on the overseas dissemination of literary works. The chapter argues that portraying the collective characteristics of sinologist-translators is an urgent issue for academia, as it not only accumulates historical materials for the study of overseas translators but also serves as a primary basis for examining translator behavior and translation models. The trilogy focuses on sinologists' growth experiences and translation strategies, using case analyses to demonstrate their role as "lubricants" in Sino-Western cultural exchanges and their sense of responsibility toward original authors, readers, and themselves in translation. Translators must consider the reading preferences and cultural positioning of target-language readers, adopting appropriate translation strategies and principles. Through successful English translation cases, the author evaluates sinologists' translation strategies and principles, emphasizing that translators should maintain reader awareness in the "going global" process but avoid arbitrarily altering original texts to cater to Western tastes. Negative examples, such as Lao She's complaint against translator Evan King, remind translators to exercise restraint when exercising creativity. The documentation of sinologists' translation strategies and dissemination experiences provides valuable information for domestic translation studies and inspires literary translation research.

4. Implications for Sino-Foreign Literary Exchange Research

The book explores the implications of Zhu Zhenwu's "Trilogy on the English Dissemination of Chinese Stories" for Sino-foreign literary exchange research. First, it points out the structural imbalance in domestic sinologist studies, emphasizing the need to expand the scope of research subjects and allocate research attention more rationally. Second, it underscores that the "going global" of Chinese literature requires cultural and translational consciousness, with translation activities bearing cultural responsibility. Third, it proposes adjusting the mindset of sinologist research, shifting from a singular "translator" perspective to recognizing sinologists' multiple "cross-boundary" identities. Finally, in the context of mutual learning among civilizations, the author suggests that Chinese scholars and Western sinologists complement each other's strengths and collaborate sincerely to ensure the acceptability of translations in target-language contexts and reduce cultural misinterpretations.

5. Conclusion

The book highlights the significance of Professor Zhu Zhenwu's "Trilogy on the English Dissemination of Chinese Stories" in Sino-foreign cultural exchanges, showcasing the interaction between overseas sinologists and Chinese literature and providing new perspectives for understanding the overseas dissemination of Chinese literature. By systematically reviewing sinologists' translation journeys, strategies, and principles, the work offers profound reflections and a theoretical foundation for the "going global" of Chinese literature. At the same time, it points out the trilogy's shortcomings, such as content overlap and the relevance of appendices, but overall considers it an important academic contribution to the history of Sino-Western cultural exchanges.