Exploring the Transmission of Chinese Classic Culture in the Western World Based on the English Translation of <i>Tao Te Ching</i>

Translation plays a crucial role in cultural inheritance and development. Cultural exchanges between China and other countries should be carried out through various translation activities. Chinese classical works, as an integral part of Chinese literature and culture, embody the essence of Chinese spirit and traditional Chinese culture so the translation of Chinese classic works can be an effective way of promoting Chinese culture around the world. By taking historical periods as the outline and translators as the goal, the paper intends to analyze some representative translators and their translated versions of Tao Te Ching, a representative philosophical classic of China, based on different historical periods. It focuses on the translation styles and norms employed by various translators, ultimately concluding the value and practical significance of translating Chinese classics into English. Such translations not only promote the dissemination of China’s traditional culture worldwide but also facilitate a more balanced flow of cultural exchanges between China and other countries. Additionally, they enhance global understanding of China and foster cultural exchange and mutual learning among nations.