Study on Translation, Dissemination and Influence of Three Character Classic by Chinese Repository

Abstract

There have been many studies on the English translation of Three Character Classic, but not enough attention has been paid to the translation of Elijah Coleman Bridgman published in 1835 by Chinese Repository. Most of the present studies briefly mentioned its translation, but few systematic and in-depth investigations have been made into it. Therefore, the historical significance of its translation has been undervalued. This study aims to objectively describe and analyze the historical motivation, process, communication, and impact of the translation of the Three Character Classic by Chinese Repository. It is found that Bridgman took advantage of a large number of paratexts to make sweeping accusations against Confucian educational thought and philosophy, forcing the essence of Chinese primary education to be exposed to the western world, aiming to reveal that China desperately needed the salvation of the Christian Gospel to enlighten its children as well as to lay the foundation for its missionary work. However, it is undeniable that its translation action objectively spread the culture of Chinese primary education and the basic concepts of Confucianism to the West, and built a bridge for westerners to understand China’s traditional culture.