On the Translations and Studies of Chinese Classics in the Western World—An Interview with the American Sinologist Stephen W.Durrant

In the interview, Prof. Stephen Durrant speaks comprehensively about the dissemination, translation, and study of Chinese classics in the West. He begins by speaking of translation and study of Shijiand then focuses upon Zuozhuan. He explains that he and his colleagues spent over ten years of their lives completing a new translation of Zuozhuanand discusses the goals and methods of their work on this important, early Chinese classic. Furthermore, he deals from a comparative perspective with the differences and similarities of Chinese and Western studies of the Chinese classics. He appreciates the value of cross-cultural communication and hopes there will be more educational and scholarly cooperation between China and the West. He believes we are moving towards a truly international sinological community and expects more scholars in the West to become engaged in the study and translation of Chinese works. Meanwhile, in the interview, he does reveal the marginal position of Chinese classics in Western studies and discusses some of the hidden ideological and patronage issues. This interview gives great insight into the translation and study of Chinese classics and their dissemination in the West.