Ting or Chinese pavilion: The history of a Chinese architectural type and its translation in transcultural scholarship

The translation of Chinese architectural types in transcultural scholarship faces two primary challenges: The ambiguous meaning of the term within its original cultural context and the broad connotations and usages of the corresponding English term, which often exceed those of the original. The Chinese architectural type ting, in particular, has been variously translated as “kiosk,” “gazebo,” and “pavilion” in previous scholarship. These translations, however, influenced by European architectural history, have led to inaccuracies, compounded by inconsistent references to other building types such as ge and xie. A chronological review of ting’s architectural reveals significant changes in its historical forms and functions. In the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), ting was primarily a military facility of considerable height, later transitioning during the Wei-Jin dynasties (220 – 420) into a geographical landmark and a venue for literati activities. By the Tang dynasty (618 – 907), its elevated structure diminished, and its role in literati culture became more versatile. During the Song dynasty (960 – 1279), ting evolved into a roofed open structure, closely associated with xie in the Yingzao Fashi. By the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing (1644 – 1912) dynasties, ting had stabilized as “an architecture with a roof but without enclosing walls,” characterized by its great flexibility in construction. This historical complexity makes coining a singular equivalent term for ting inadequate. Instead, this article advocates for thick translations that situate ting within its spatial-temporal context through illustrations, annotations, and detailed explanations, addressing its intricate historical and cultural nuances alongside related building types.