Ideology and Literary Translation: Liang Qichao

This article focuses on the prominent Chinese reformer Liang Qichao's (1873-1929) thinking concerning and practice of translation work. The focus on the translation work of only one – but someone who was politically very prominent - translator clearly shows that in the major cultural and societal context, translation is marginalised and considered a simple tool for supplementing literature rather than a ‘sharp sword’ for transforming society and culture. Active at the beginning of the 20th century, Liang's reformist policies were a pioneering commitment to democracy and freedom, which was heavily inijuenced by ideas and notions that were transferred to China, as part of the process in which Chinese translators including Liang were translating Western writing. Liang's critical thinking on translation is underrated in the literature, which is largely concerned with his political activities and his comments on literature, journalism, history, etc.This article explores Liang's strategies in his literary translation to see how and to what extent he used translation in order to reform contemporary society and to contribute to Chinese modernity.