Degrees of Affinity

As a prominent literary critic, historian of literature, translator and poet in the 20th-century China, the late Professor Wang Zuoliang plays an irreplaceable role in China's English education. His research ranges widely from English literature through comparative literature to translation and cultural studies, with outstanding accomplishments in many respects.§§This book is a synthesis of two collections of essays written originally in English by Wang, both once published in the book form: Degrees of Affinity Studies in Comparative Literature (1985) and A Sense of Beginning Studies in Literature and Translation (1991).§§It explores the affinity between literatures and peoples, with special attention given to that between Chinese literature and western literature in the 20th century, and underscores the role played by translation therein as well.§§The late Professor Wang was pioneering in bringing forth the concept of affinity in talking about interactions between literatures and peoples, which has won great acclaim from both critics and common readers at home and abroad. As he points out, momentous changes often occur when a foreign literature satisfies a sore need of an indigenous literature, thus developing a strong affinity. . .§§Translation plays a crucial role in bringing about affinity between literatures and peoples. According to Professor Wang, Nothing is more crucial in cultural contacts, not to say cultural interactions, than translation, particularly in a country that for long periods closed its door to the outside world, like China. This book explores the contributions made by such prominent translators in bringing forth affinity between literatures in the 20th-century China as Yan Fu , Lin Shu ( ), Lu Xun ( ), Zhu Shenghao ( ), Bian Zhilin ( ), Mu Dan ( ), Dai Wangshu ( ), etc.§