Adaptation and Transmission: Catholic Bible Translations in Late Imperial China

Abstract

<p>Research on the history of the Bible in China has focused on Protestant Bible translations during and after the 19^(th) century, yet Catholic Bible translations in the earlier two centuries have received scant attention. Despite a series of challenges and setbacks, Catholic missionaries made continuous efforts to have varied biblical texts translated into Chinese. A few missionaries even attempted a full Chinese translation of the Bible. With critical analysis of key concepts, narrative patterns, and terminology from some exemplary Catholic biblical texts, this article reveals how the missionary translators adapted to the native culture while at the same time transmitting a foreign culture in this biblical translation process. This further reflects on the diversity and complexity of Catholic endeavors in Chinese Bible translations from the late Ming to the mid-Qing periods.<br></p>

關於聖經漢譯史的研究大多側重十九世紀以後新教傳教士的譯經成就，較少關注十七、十八世紀天主教的譯經活動和發展。雖然天主教經歷了一系列挑戰和挫折，未能推動大規模的聖經漢譯工作，但其各種形式的譯經文本延續不斷，更有少數人嘗試翻譯整部聖經。本文從文化觀念、敘事模式、語詞等方面審視一批具有代表性的天主教譯經文本，探討在聖經漢譯過程中對本土文化的調適，以及異質文化的移植，進而揭示晚明至清中葉天主教漢語譯經活動的多樣、複雜面貌。