Translating into Modernity: Nalai-ism in the First Chinese Translation of Robinson Crusoe

Jue Dao Piao Liu Ji, the first Chinese translation of Robinson Crusoe, is but one of the nalai-istic translations at the turn of the 20th century in China. As a response to sudden external pressures in a time of existential crisis for the nation, these translations prioritize social-historical efficacy as the primary criterion. They no longer desire to serve two masters nor get caught in the so-called tragedy of the translator being torn between betrayal and loyalty. Instead, as is demonstrated by Jue Dao Piao Liu Ji, nalai-istic translations utilize the undercurrent of violence resulted from foreignness in translation to impact and dismantle the closed structures of the receiving culture. Nalai-istic translation demonstrates not only openness and dialogic intent, but also involve the translator’s play of and with the receiving culture’s center, which as a trans-visionary creation gives birth to a new vision distinct from both the source text and the original receiving culture. As a historical specimen, Shen Zufen and his Jue Dao Piaoliu Ji serves as a trace and reminder: it is translation that translates China into modernity.