Modern Social Science Research

This study focuses on the translation practices of Zhou Xuliang, a translator from Anhui, to explore how he dynamically interprets Yan Fus translation principles of “Faithfulness, Expressiveness, and Elegance” through paratextual strategies. Regarding faithfulness, Zhou emphasizes “understanding as a priority”，using annotations to correct cultural context and factual errors in scientific and philosophical translations. For expressiveness, he adopts a “reader-centered” approach, utilizing annotations and prefaces to dismantle cross-cultural barriers, achieving both textual fluency and cognitive accessibility. Concerning elegance, Zhou employs stylistic adaptation and rhythmic reproduction to break free from Yan Fus constraint of “archaic refinement,” ensuring the translated text aligns with both linguistic and aesthetic qualities. Zhou Xuliangs paratextual strategies not only highlight the unique value of translation as a tool for cultural and knowledge adaptation but also transform the static standard of “Faithfulness, Expressiveness, and Elegance” into a systematic and dynamic practice.

Zhou Xuliang; Faithfulness, Expressiveness, Elegance; Paratext; Prefaces ; Annotations