Modern Social Science Research

In 1947, The Chinese Earth: Stories by Shen Ts’ung-wen, the first English-translated anthology of Shen Congwen’s fiction, was published in London. The volume was initially translated by Jin Di, with subsequent stylistic refinement and promotional support from Robert Payne. Drawing on theories of narrative strategy and cross-cultural translation, this study examines the narrative construction strategies employed in the translation, considering the context of the National Southwest Associated University. The analysis focuses on textual selection and arrangement, narrative rhythm adjustment, character dialogue translation, and the transformation of local imagery. The findings indicate that the translation is not merely a product of interlingual transfer, but rather a cross-cultural narrative project realized through the collaboration of the original author, the Chinese translator, and the English editor. Shen Congwen established the local narrative core through text selection and interpretation, Jin Di facilitated the initial transfer of semantics and regional culture, and Payne ensured the adaptation for target readers by refining the English literary style. This tripartite collaboration not only preserves the original texture and literary qualities of the rural world in western Hunan but also constructs a narrative approach aligned with the reading habits of English audiences, providing a significant historical reference for the cross-cultural dissemination of Chinese literature.

The Chinese Earth; Shen Congwen; Jin Di; Robert Payne; Narrative strategy