Author ｜
Shuo-win Chen
Abstract ｜
Ta Kung Pao《大公報》is a major newspaper in modern China. Among several literary supplements, “Literature and Art” is particularly important. In April 1936, Ta Kung Pao launched the Shanghai edition. In an effort to engage with the interests of its readers, the Shanghai edition introduced special issues, dedicated space to translating and introducing foreign literature and art, film and drama, fine arts. With the special issue in the original “Literature and Art,” together crafted a distinctive literary and artistic landscape. The Shanghai edition of Ta Kung Pao lasted for a little over a year. Although the period was short, it reflected Shanghai as a contact zone of diverse cultures, or significant geographies, nurturing frequent dialogues between Chinese and foreign literature, cultural exchanges, and even the vibrant artistic landscape of cultural transformation. This merits in-depth analysis. By situating the translations back into the diverse literary environment of Shanghai in the 1930s, the article aims to provide insights into the characteristics and cultural connotations embedded in Ta Kung Pao’s translations of foreign literature and art. The focus on cultural transformation within the framework of world literature adds a layer of complexity to the exploration, shedding light on how Ta Kung Pao’s literary supplement participated in the global cultural conversation of its time. This article also pays attention to delving into the representations of the world and China within these translations as well. Lastly, this study seeks to contribute to the scholarly dialogue on world literature by offering this nuanced examination of the translations within literary supplement in 1930s Shanghai.
keywords ｜
Ta Kung Pao, world literature, cultural contact nebulae, transculturation, transdisciplinary translation