The changing dynamics in the translations of Chinese humanities and social sciences into English (1989-2019)

Abstract

This article examines the dynamics driving the translation of contemporary Chinese humanities and social sciences into English between 1989 and 2019. Based on a database of 256 translated works, it identifies three phases of translations: (1) the early 1990s, dominated by works on the 1989 social movement and modernization theory; (2) the early 2000s, marked by a growing interest in China's intellectual landscape; and (3) the 2010s, characterized by an unprecedented rise in translations, including those initiated and funded by Chinese institutions. This study highlights the mediating role of social, (geo)political, economic and intellectual contexts in shaping translation initiatives, selection processes, and discourse formation. It argues that translation is deeply embedded in geopolitical power structures, influencing the circulation and reception of Chinese humanities and social sciences. By analyzing the evolving dynamics of translation, this article provides insight into how knowledge is transmitted across cultural and political boundaries, revealing the intersection of translation, history, and global power shifts.