Narrating History: Understanding China’s Earliest Narratives in Zuo Zhuan

Ling XUE

Abstract


In sharp comparison to the extensive research on Ruist Canon as the Four Books, studies on Chinese historical narratives remains a rarefaction. Interpreting Confucius’ only historical writing ─ the Spring and Autumn Annals with vivid and literary touches, Zuo Zhuan, or Tso Chuan, is one of the most important sources for understanding the history of the Spring and Autumn Period (Chunqiu), among the earliest Chinese work of narrative history, covering the period from 722 BC to 468 BC. With a variety of perspectives ranging from narratology to translation studies, this paper discourses the intricacies of Chinese narrative traditions in hope of promoting the understanding of Chinese historical texts and their translation, highlighting how different translation versions imitates the original writings and represent them into new narratives.


Keywords


Narratology; History; Translation; Zuo Zhuan; the Spring and Autumn Annals

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/11582

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