Hans Christian Andersen in Early Twentieth Century China

Abstract This article looks at the social and translation contexts surrounding the establishment of the Literary Research Society and its impact on the translation of Hans Christian Andersen’s tales in China. It examines the competition between the Society members when it comes to the translation of Andersen’s tales, focusing on issues such as translation language and aesthetics. Additionally, the analysis highlights the collaboration among Society members as evidenced by their translation choices and publication results, along with the negotiations over translation aesthetics, methods, and strategies. The article posits that the Literary Research Society played a crucial role in the introduction, acceptance, and canonization of Andersen’s tales in China. By examining the interactive and communicative behaviours, namely translation activities undertaken by the Society, this study clarifies the significant influence that a social literary organization can exert during the initial stages of a foreign literature’s integration into a different literary system.