Annali di Ca’ Foscari. Serie orientale

Journal | Annali di Ca’ Foscari. Serie orientale
Journal issue | 57 | 2021
Research Article | The Introduction of Naturalism in China, the Role of Mao Dun and the Debate in the Press

The Introduction of Naturalism in China, the Role of Mao Dun and the Debate in the Press

Abstract

This article presents the introduction of Naturalism in China and its first mentions since the end of the nineteenth century. It examines the main terms of the debate on Naturalism (1920-21), after Mao Dun proposed his translation project of Naturalist and Realist works (1920), and the reflections and notes by some writers-translators on this issue. It is argued that Mao Dun’s translation proposal constitutes the first model of planned literary translation to carry out specific political-cultural projects. It is also argued that Naturalism underwent a process of localisation in China to serve as a tool for making the transition toward a modern Chinese literature.


Open access | Peer reviewed

Submitted: Feb. 21, 2020 | Accepted: Jan. 27, 2021 | Published June 30, 2021 | Language: it

Keywords RealismNaturalismLocalisationTranslation policyMao DunLiterary translationLiterary theoryZola


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