Journal of Integrated Cultural Studies
JICS Vol. 1, No. 1, 2026, pp.32-42.
Print ISSN: 3105-840X; Online ISSN: 3105-8418
Journal homepage: https://www.icsjournal.com
DOI：Https://doi.org/10.64058/JICS.26.1.04
重塑英语世界的苏轼：包腊对东坡的译介和文化定位
姚达兑（Yao Dadui）
摘要：有学者认为，普鲁士来华传教士郭实腊是最早将苏轼诗文译介至英语世界的人，正是他通过多种策略塑造了苏轼全才且完美的形象。然而这一论断的后半并不符合事实。早在1872年，郭实腊的东坡诗文译介便遭到包腊的严厉批评，后者指出其译文错误频出、缺乏可信度，进而影响了西方世界对苏轼的准确认知。相较而言，包腊译介了多篇苏轼诗文，并为其赋予了全新的文化定位。他不仅将苏轼视为政治人物、诗人和文人，更强调其作为超越政治身份的思想者与文化巨匠的独特价值。包腊展现了苏轼可亲可爱的个性特质，指出其兼具学者的智慧与圣贤的品格，体现出一种更为全面而深刻的文化解读。通过对苏轼及其作品的重新审视，包腊在一定程度上纠正了早期汉学家对苏轼的片面解读，从而推动了英语世界对苏轼译介与研究的客观化与深入化。
关键词：苏轼（苏东坡）；郭实腊；包腊；《中国评论》
作者简介：姚达兑，海南大学人文学院教授，研究方向：比较文学与世界文学。电邮：yaodadui@foxmail.com。
Title: Reconstructing Su Shi in the English-speaking World: E. C. Bowra’s Translation and Cultural Repositioning of Dongpo
Abstract: Some scholars believe that the Prussian missionary to China, K. Gützlaff, was the first to introduce Su Shi’s poetry and prose to the English-speaking world, and that it was through his various strategies that Su Shi was portrayed as a versatile and flawless figure. However, the latter part of this assertion does not align with the facts. As early as 1872, Gützlaff’s translations of Su Shi’s works were severely criticized by E. C. Bowra, who pointed out numerous errors and questioned their credibility, thereby affecting the accuracy of Su Shi’s reception in the West. In contrast, Bowra translated multiple pieces of Su Shi’s poetry and prose, offering a fresh cultural redefinition of Su Shi. He regarded Su Shi not only as a political figure, poet, and man of letters but also highlighted his unique value as a thinker and cultural giant beyond his political identity. Bowra revealed Su Shi’s endearing and approachable personality, emphasizing his rare combination of scholarly wisdom and sage-like virtues, thus presenting a more comprehensive and profound cultural interpretation. Through his re-examination of Su Shi and his works, Bowra partially corrected the early Sinologists’ biased interpretations of Su Shi, thereby promoting a more objective and in-depth engagement with Su Shi’s translations and studies in the English-speaking world.
Keywords: Su Shi (Su Dongpo); Karl Friedrich August Gützlaff; E. C. Bowra; The China Review
Author Biography: Yao Dadui, Professor at the School of Humanities, Hainan University. Research interests: comparative literature and world literature. E-mail: yaodadui@foxmail.com.
Received: 3 Mar. 2026 / Revised: 22 Mar. 2026 / Accepted: 02 Apr. 2026 / Published online: 30 Apr. 2026 / Print published: 30 May 2026.
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