The purpose of this paper is to provide a discussion of some of the basic differences and similarities between the Chinese and Western traditions of translation. After analysing some of the major findings about what is shared and what is unshared between the two traditions, as well as what lies beneath these differences and similarities, four basic conclusions are made; namely, (a) comparative translation studies is important and should be fully developed; (b) the differences between the Chinese and Western translation traditions are necessarily conditioned by differences in their broader socio-cultural framework; (c) quite similar ideas have been produced over the centuries between China and the West, which may be regarded as elements of ‘universality' as the most outstanding feature of theoretical discussions about translation across language-cultures; and most importantly, (d) an understanding of Chinese-Western differences and similarities should help create a meaningful environment in which translators and translation theorists from different traditions can draw upon one another's experiences. The rationale of the discussion is that by bringing culturally disparate translation traditions such as the Chinese and Western into comparison, important insights may be gained about the nature of translation and translation studies in general.
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