On Sinologist Joseph Needham’s Investigation of the History of Science and Technology in Bashu Region and the Translation of Chinese Classics

Joseph Needham (1900-1995), a historian of technology and sinologist from the UK, conducted decades of research and investigation on Chinese science and civilization, including multiple visits to China. He also led the compilation of a 7-volume English version of Science and Civilization in China, achieving important research results. Joseph Needham conducted extensive research on the history of science and technology in the Bashu region (presently, Sichuan Province and Chongqing City), including cities like Chengdu, Yibin, Chongqing, etc. For example, he did research on the history of Taoist science and technology in Chengdu, etc. He also studied the ancient Chinese chemical techniques contained in the Chinese classic book Zhouyi Cantong Qi (The Kinship of the Three according to The Book of Changes), translated a large amount of content into English, and explained it. By sorting out Joseph Needham's research on the history of science and technology in the Bashu region, this paper proposes the reasons for his emphasis on regional science and technology history, analyzes Joseph Needham's translated texts, examines his translation strategies, and summarizes relevant translation methods. This is to help strengthen the cross-cultural communication of Bashu science and technology history, and provide a reference for expanding the methods of translating scientific and technological classics and improving their effectiveness in translation practice.