This project attempts to offer a comprehensive introduction to the development of translation in Chinese history. Capturing key moments from ancient times to 1949, it explores the interplay between linguistic, cultural, and political factors shaping translation throughout various historical periods. The significant events to be discussed in this book include the translation of Buddhist scriptures during the Han and Tang dynasties, the interaction of Western scientific and philosophical texts with Chinese ideas during the Qing dynasty, the translation encounters in diplomatic and military conflicts, and the literary and cultural reforms through translation in the modern period. It hopes to shed light upon the challenges and innovations of modern Chinese translation from a globalized perspective.

Besides the translated works to be discussed in the book, the project also attempts to introduce basic research methods for beginners in Chinese translation history. The key themes may include the impact of different translation theories and methodologies on the rendered texts, the multifaceted roles of translators as cultural mediators, and the tension between patronage and translators. By encompassing texts and contexts around key events, it seeks to understand translation from a broader and more dynamic perspective. The book aims to equip students with a critical appreciation of the historical development of Chinese translation and the basic skills to conduct studies in Chinese translation history.