Translators and Interpreters During the Opium War between Britain and China (1839-1842)

Bibliographic Data

ID20042660
AuthorsLawrence Wang-chi Wong (corresponding author)
Year2007
Pages41-57
Publication date2007-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeCHAPTER
VenueTranslating and Interpreting Conflict (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherBrill (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1163/9789401204385_005
OpenAlexW2123017537
ISBN9789401204385
LanguageEN
Citations received7

In the First Opium War, 1839-1942, the Chinese and British, with such huge cultural and language differences, had to rely heavily on a few exceptional individuals for translation and interpretation. The Chinese employed the tonshi, compradors (trade intermediaries) and merchants, some of whom were barely competent in the two languages, whilst the British recruited colonial administrators and missionaries. Some in the British camp not only collected and analyzed piecemeal materials, but also assumed active parts in shaping the course of events. The paper attempts to portray the roles played by the translators and interpreters of both parties, and the backgrounds of individuals and the position they enjoyed in their respective camp will be analyzed to determine the different attitudes that the two camps held towards translators and interpreters

Archaeology · China · Colonialism · Interpreter · Linguistics · Media studies · Opium · Sociology · Computer Science · History · Philippine History and Culture

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