Modern Social Science Research

During the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican periods, the American missionary Laura M. White translated a considerable number of Western works, committing herself to the dissemination of Western ideas and cultural concepts concerning female development and children’s education. Through this process, she underscored the significance of children as the future citizens of the nation. This paper drawing on Lefevere’s theory of rewriting, examines how three key factors—ideology, poetics and patronage—influenced the translator’s approach in her translation of Sara Crewe. It is hoped that more translators will draw inspiration from White’s rewriting activities, which were adapted to the social developments of her time, and thereby contribute to the dissemination of Chinese culture and wisdom abroad.

Sara Crewe; Laura M. White; The Chinese translation of children’s literature; Rewriting theory; The Late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China