Road to the East. Journal of Chinese-Portuguese Studies
Instituto Confúcio, Universidade de Aveiro; Universidade de Línguas Estrangeiras de Dalian
Authors retain copyright. Creative Commons License: Attribution 4.0 International.
The lyrical and linguistic journey of Camilo Pessanha through China
Camilo Pessanha is widely considered one of the most important poets of modern Portugal. One of the characteristics that immediately stands out in his work is his contribution to Portuguese symbolist poetry. Another of the author’s particularities that set him apart from his peers is the fact that Camilo Pessanha lived in Macau and devoted himself to the study of the Chinese language and culture and was even referred to as “the most Chinese of Western poets, before Ezra Pound” (Sá Cunha, 1999, p. 34). This intercultural devotion led him to translate Chinese poetry, in particular the translation of “The Eight Chinese Elegies”, a collection of poems from the Ming Dynasty compiled by Long-Fong-Kong. During the Conference on Chinese Literature, which, according to a biographical survey conducted by Daniel Pires, was given by Camilo Pessanha on March 13, 1915 and published eight days later in the Macanese newspaper O Progresso, Pessanha analyses and characterizes his own knowledge of the Chinese language, describing it as follows: “the intense spiritual pleasure that the study, however superficial, of this language and its monuments provides to those who dedicate themselves to it, for the beauty it contains, the surprises it causes and, mainly, for the vast horizons it opens to the mind about the general condition of humanity and the light it sheds on the way of being of extinct civilizations.” (Pessanha, 1992, p. 159). In this talk, we will follow Pessanha on a lyrical and linguistic journey in search of a greater understanding between two civilizations.
Camilo Pessanha, Portuguese literature, Chinese Literatura, Translation Studies, Chinese Poetry.
A brief overview of the life of the Great Reformer, Deng Xiaoping. He studied in China, France, and Moscow. His professional journey as a laborer in Europe and communist activist led him to serve in the Red Army in China, becoming a prominent figure in political life, always loyal to the CCP. He accepted purges and removals imposed by the Party with resignation, never aspiring to high-ranking positions. He carried out rural and economic development reforms within the framework of liberal socialism for the benefit of the Nation and the people, whom he deeply loved – all of which were accepted for opening China to the world. China established diplomatic relations with Portugal after the Revolution of April 25, as Portugal abandoned its African colonies – an approach aligned with Deng Xiaoping’s Theory of the Three Worlds, which he presented at the UN General Assembly. Following the signing of the cooperation agreement between Portugal and China, the transition of Macau was carried out peacefully. Ressano Garcia, the Portuguese ambassador in Beijing, strengthened bilateral relations, and Macau’s governor visited Beijing in 1980, leading to the signing of the Luso-Chinese Trade Agreement. In 1987, Cavaco Silva signed the Joint Declaration in Beijing, limiting Portugal’s presence in Macau until December 1999. This was followed by a revision of Macau’s Organic Statute and the establishment of the Legislative Assembly, paving the way for the future Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR). Deng’s solution within the "One Country, Two Systems" theory for the administrative regions of Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, alongside agrarian reform and economic development policies, transformed China’s rural and urban landscape in the final decades of the 20th century into a modern nation. He reinvigorated cultural identity, which was reflected in economic growth, revoked restrictive education laws by allowing learning opportunities abroad, and oversaw the revival of religious traditions.
Activist, Reformer, Deng, Worker, China, Macau.
The Multimodal Perspective of Performing Qigang Chen’s Instants d’un Opéra de Pékin
This article examines Chinese-French composer Qigang Chen’s piano work Instants d'un opera de Pekin from a multimodal perspective, highlighting the interplay developed between music, nonverbal movement, and visual in the creative experience of the performers. The study includes an in-depth analysis of this piano work that incorporates elements of Peking Opera and explores the rhythmic complexity, timbral texture, and body movement issues that arise in the collaboration between the pianist, the percussionist, and the martial arts dancer. Through an interdisciplinary perspective, this study also attempts to provide an innovative approach to bridging different art forms of performance, delving into the theoretical underpinnings of multimodal communication and its application to musical performance. The musical and cultural meanings of the work will be revealed from the experience of the Chinese pianist and articulating with the percussionist and dancers of the martial art from Portugal. This collaboration provides insight into how performers can expand their expressive power by incorporating different cultural elements into their performances. By exploring the multimodal perspective of Chen's work, the study highlights the transformative potential of multimodal performance in expanding the boundaries of the traditional concert experience and contributes to our understanding of the intricate dialogue between different modes and the ways in which their integration can enhance the artistic experience.
Qigang Chen, Piano performance, Percussion, Martial arts dance, Multimodal, Intercultural Dialogue.
Chinese Image in the Translation of Yu Hua's Novel To Live
In the context of globalization in which we live and communicate, translation becomes a means of exchanging and disseminating national and ethnic identity between different countries and regions. In literary translation, efforts and contributions are made by the translator to reconstruct a certain national or ethnic image, taking into account its reception in the context of arrival. Imagology therefore provides a new perspective for literary translation studies. In this case, based on an imagological approach, this paper takes as its object of study the Brazilian Portuguese translation of Yu Hua’s novel Viver (活着), focusing on the reconstruction of the Chinese image, i.e. the reflection of Chinese society and population in the work, in order to address the translator’s treatment of the translated image. We hope to reveal the relationship between translation and image reconstruction, in order to open up new visions for the translation and promotion of Chinese literature abroad.
Imagology, Translation of image, Image reconstruction, To Live, Yu Hua, Chinese literature.
Analysis of the Portuguese translation of a Chinese adnominal adjunct referring to place based on interlanguage theory
As students progress in their learning of Portuguese, errors in language use become discernible to them, owing to their increasing command of the language. However, in addition to these errors, there are also some errors that are difficult to detect. These errors are typically manifestations of deviations in usage, including improper use of vocabulary and verb conjugation. In this paper, we examine a relatively unnoticed misuse in translation from Chinese to Portuguese. Specifically, we analyse the occurrence of the preposition “de” in place of “em” when translating the adnominal adjunct referring to place into Portuguese. The reasons for the misuse are analysed and explained, based on interlanguage theory, and finally solutions and suggestions for learning are given. Upon analysis of the errors, it becomes evident that the direct use of the preposition “de” in the translation is not solely attributable to the degree of Portuguese proficiency, but rather, it is predominantly due to the absence of transformation of linguistic thinking into Portuguese thinking. To mitigate this issue, the authors recommend that, during the teaching process, educators should endeavour to instill students with a more authentic Portuguese linguistic system. They further suggest the implementation of contrastive and error analysis techniques. Finally, the educator has the capacity to direct the students' focus by drawing parallels between the two languages, thereby fostering the possibility of a favourable transfer.
Interlanguage theory, Portuguese teaching, Adnominal adjunct, Native Chinese learners, Preposition “de”, Teaching-learning suggestions.
Interest in Portuguese has been a general trend in China. In Macao, several higher education institutions have been offering courses in Portuguese as a Foreign Language (PFL). As a region characterized by the coexistence of multiple communities and cultures, Macao exhibits a complex linguistic landscape that is not always readily apparent. In recent years, there has been an increase in academic cooperation and scientific research projects related to higher education in PFL within the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). Currently, the region has several institutions and diverse types of courses, which will be the focus of analysis in this paper. The objective of this text is to provide a chronological and comprehensive overview of PFL higher education in the Macao SAR. It is concluded that higher education in PFL in Macao has evolved over time, continually encountering challenges.
Educational Policies, Portuguese as a Foreign Language (PFL), Higher Education, Macao.
Beijing, the capital of China, is a city that blends history and modernity. It features a variety of natural resources and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, attracting tourists with its ancient buildings and iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, Yonghe Temple, the Temple of Heaven, and the National Museum of China. In the surrounding areas, geoparks offer nature and tranquility, ideal for escaping the urban pace. In the ancient palaces, one can feel the living history and the depth of Chinese culture. For those seeking inner peace, the temples are undoubtedly ideal places to relax and reflect. Beijing is a destination that combines natural beauty, culture, and spirituality.
Beijing, Historical heritage, Tourism, Culture.
Beijing cuisine reflects the city’s long history and rich cultural diversity. Influenced by imperial traditions, local culinary practices, and Shandong cuisine – one of China’s eight major culinary traditions – Beijing food stands out for its variety of flavors, techniques, and ingredients. Among the most iconic dishes is Peking Duck (北京烤鸭, Běijīng kǎoyā), renowned worldwide for its crispy skin and tender meat. Other local specialties include lamb hotpot (涮羊肉, Shuànyángròu), a traditional style of hotpot especially popular in winter, and noodles with soybean paste (炸酱面, Zhájiàngmiàn), loved for their simplicity and comforting homemade taste. Noteworthy as well is shredded pork in Beijing sauce (京酱肉丝, Jīngjiàngròusī), often served in tofu wrappers, as well as traditional sweets like candied hawthorn (冰糖葫芦, Bīngtáng húlu) and pear soup (小吊梨汤, Xiǎodiàolítāng), appreciated for their nutritional properties. Snacks such as round fried dough rings (焦圈, Jiāoquān) – often compared to churros, and traditional Beijing yogurt (老北京酸奶, Lǎo Běijīng suānnǎi), typically sold in the city’s old alleyways, complete the experience, connecting flavors with local habits and memories. More than just pleasing the palate, Beijing cuisine tells stories of the city, revealing its customs, seasons, and the communal spirit of shared meals. To visit Beijing is also to taste its soul – one dish at a time.
Chinese gastronomy, Beijing cuisine, Flavors of China, Culinary journey.
Seeing the essence through the phenomenon
The emergence of Macao’s multiculturalism is not accidental, but inevitable. The history of Macao’s development for more than 400 years has proved that Macao has two ancient and different cultures-Chinese culture and Portuguese culture. These two cultures collided in a creative blend and laid a foundation together. This is the current situation in Macao. From February 25 to March 17, 2023, the six religions in Macao jointly held the “Thousand Miles of Same Wind” Cultural and Cultural Relics Exhibition, exhibiting more than 100 groups of representative cultural relics and artworks of the six religions. This is the first joint cultural event of the six religions since the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. It showcases the common core values of all religions in Macao and promotes religious exchanges from multiple angles. The joint exhibition of the six religions is a bold attempt and innovation in the religious history of Macao and even the whole country. Starting from the phenomenon of the joint exhibition of the six religions, this article explores the importance and necessity of cultural self-confidence in the process of cultural exchange and the inheritance path of Macao’s culture under multiculturalism.
Cultural integration, Cultural confidence, Cultural development.
Textual revision activates the correction component, to reduce the number of inaccuracies present in the final text, and reformulative rewriting, through new discursive choices. This article presents a study that aimed to analyse the ability of Chinese learners of Portuguese as a Foreign Language (PFL) to self-revise their written texts, focusing on both linguistic correction and reformulative rewriting. The study involved B2 level Chinese university students, who took part in a text production activity divided into two phases: drafting the initial version and returning to the text for self-revision, without prior feedback from the teacher. The instructions encouraged students to improve their texts either by correcting mistakes or by rewriting linguistic units. The revision operations were analysed, considering the dimensions of correction and discursive reformulation, as well as the success or failure in terms of the linguistic outcome of the operations. The results show that around two thirds of the operations focused on originally correct passages, highlighting the use of reformulative rewriting as a strategy for exploring linguistic-discursive alternatives. The operations carried out showed a high degree of success, both in correcting errors and in maintaining correctness in reformulated passages. However, new errors were also introduced, especially in lexical substitutions that required attention to combinatorial properties and verb regency. The conclusion is that self-revision contributes to correcting the text and can also be intentionally aimed at activating linguistic reformulation mechanisms, promoting the broadening of learners' discursive resources.
Revision, Rewriting, Correction, Reformulation, Choices.
Eugénio de Andrade (Fundão, 1923 – Porto, 2005) produced a significant body of poetic work in which the East occupies a central and evocative role – particularly after his visit to Macau in 1990. Under the pretext of attending an exhibition of portraits of himself painted by Portuguese artists, Andrade composed Pequeno Caderno do Oriente (Little Notebook of the Orient), a hybrid collection of poems, poetic prose, and notes. This volume reveals both his profound fascination with the East and his enduring admiration for Camilo Pessanha, the foremost Portuguese Symbolist poet and a long-time resident of Macau. This essay proceeds from the premise that Andrade’s engagement with Eastern motifs is inseparable from Pessanha’s influence. Just as Clepsidra (1920) reflects an aesthetic inflected by Chinese literary sensibilities through the prism of Verlaine-inspired Symbolism, Andrade similarly draws upon Eastern imagery, tonalities, chromatic impressions, and rhythmic structures to shape his lyrical expression. Despite being situated in distinct historical contexts, both poets use lyricism and essayistic meditation as vehicles for a sustained intercultural dialogue between Portuguese and Chinese literary traditions. The present analysis pursues three interrelated aims: (1) To examine the reasons why Andrade considers Pessanha a model of “high poetic asceticism”; (2) To identify thematic, lexical, sonic, and rhythmic convergences between their respective oeuvres, illuminating a shared aesthetic lineage; (3) To explore how the twelve poems of Pequeno Caderno do Oriente articulate a lyrical ecology – a culture of Nature – that resonates with motifs found throughout Andrade’s broader poetic corpus.This lyrical sensitivity culminates in the symbolic image of bamboo as a site of introspection and permanence: “From this garden I carry within me / a branch of bamboo to serve / as a mirror for the rest of my days” a distilled emblem of contemplation and the enduring presence of poetic memory.
Andrade (Eugénio), Pessanha (Camilo), Intercultural dialogues.
Maria do Carmo Pinheiro Silva Cardoso Mendes
In 2013, Xi Jinping unveiled to the world the 一带一路 (Yi Dai Yi Lu) project, translated into English as “One Belt, One Road” (later known as Belt and Road Initiative), a project that proposed to develop and facilitate connectivity between countries and peoples around the world, outlining five main objectives: better communication of national policies, better transport connectivity, better trade facilitation, better currency conversion, and better exchange of people. It is mainly (but not exclusively) an investment and infrastructure construction plan, particularly associated with transport such as ports, roads, railways, and airports, but also including other types of infrastructure such as power plants and telecommunications networks. The BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) is controversial, with different (sometimes opposing) views on its potential benefits (as claimed by the Chinese government and its supporters) or risks (as claimed by its critics). Some academics have criticized the way the BRI is framed by both perspectives, namely for being too sinocentric and ignoring the agency and perspective of the countries involved. This article aims to help reduce this gap in perspectives by analyzing the media perspectives of one of the BRI recipient countries: Portugal. This article is based on an analysis of all articles published online by the newspaper Público between 2018 and 2022 that mention the BRI. Two considerations influenced the time frame of the articles: the signing of the NRS Memorandum of Understanding by Portugal in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Público was selected because it is the most widely read Portuguese newspaper online.
New Silk Road, Belt and Road Initiative, Sino-Portuguese relations, Media narratives, International relations.
On the Road to Mental Health in China, the author looks firstly at the perspective of mental health that Western studies have presented in China in the 20th and 21st centuries, based on an analysis of the works of psychoanalysts such as Carl Jung and social psychologist Michael Harris Bond in Beyond the Chinese Face (1991) and in the Oxford Handbook of Chinese Psychology (2010), contrasting them in the second part of the text with the data provided by Chinese authors on the current state of this field of research in the country, for example, those presented by Qicheng Jing and Xiaolan Fu (2001) in “Modern Chinese Psychology: its Indigenous Roots and International Influence”, or even with the analysis of the perspective of Daniel T. L. Shek (2010) when the authors try to understand what is distinctively Chinese about Chinese psychology. Throughout the paper, the link of Chinese tradition is searched from the field of social psychology towards anthropological philosophy.
Chinese philosophy, Chinese psychology, Comparative studies.
Ana Cristina Ferreira de Almeida Rodrigues Alves
Literature from Portuguese-speaking countries
In the Literature of Portuguese-Speaking Countries curricular unit, Chinese students in the 3rd year of Applied Portuguese Language [LPA] at ESECS/IPL, translation branch, analyze short narratives, applying some of the narrative analysis concepts worked on during the semester, as one of the core points of the curricular program. In the even semester of the 2022-2023 academic year – among the vast list of short narratives appropriate to their level of linguistic proficiency in the Portuguese language – the students' selections fell on two Mozambican authors – Mia Couto and Luís Bernardo Honwana – and two Angolans – José Luandino Vieira and José Eduardo Agualusa. The analyses of the stories reflect the capacity for analyzing literary language, its symbolism, transmitted values and emotional charge, and the great intervention in most of the narratives written during the colonial period or immediately after, such as opening horizons and triggering the readers' consciousness to the need for active intervention. In any of the stories analyzed (“A Fogueira”; “O último aviso do corvo falador”; “A menina de futuro torcido” / “Nós matámos o cão tinhoso”; “As mãos dos pretos” / “Estória da galinha e do ovo” / “Por que é tão importante ver as estrelas”), the richness of the students' reading deserves a careful look and reveals much of the analytical capacity of the Eastern perspective. Literature thus shows itself in its maximum aspect as a transmitter of values, cultural references and a source of reflection on social and powerful relations in the world.
Literature of Portuguese-speaking countries, Mia Couto (“The Bonfire”; “The Last Warning of the Talking Crow”; “The Girl with a Twisted Future”), Luís Bernardo Honwana (“We Killed the Mangy Dog”; “The Hands of the Blacks”), José Luandino Vieira (“The Story of the Chicken and the Egg”), José Eduardo Agualusa (“Why is it so important to see the stars”).
The influence of cultural diplomacy on motivation to learn Mandarin
With the rise of China's national power, its influence in the world is growing, not only in terms of economic influence, but also in terms of cultural influence. As a non-intellectual factor, motivation becomes uniquely important for the teaching of Mandarin in Brazilian universities. Building on previous research, this paper will explore the influence of cultural diplomacy on motivation to learn Mandarin, using interviews to investigate student motivation in the online Mandarin course at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB). Depending on teaching practices and students’ characteristics, the role played by cultural diplomacy in learning motivation is analysed, with the aim of better promoting the development of Mandarin in Brazilian universities, increasing students’ interest in learning Mandarin and providing some reference for deeper cooperation in Mandarin teaching between Chinese and Brazilian universities.
Mandarin, Motivation, Learning, university, Cultural diplomacy, Online Mandarin course.
Translation from Chinese to Portuguese of Sentences with Null Subjects
This study analyzes the translation of phrases with null subjects from Chinese to Portuguese, highlighting the structural differences between the languages. The research is based on a comparative analysis between Chinese and Portuguese, focusing on the classification and reference mechanism of the null subject in both languages. Using cases from the Report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China as examples, the work aims to study the translation procedures employed, taking into account the specific characteristics of Chinese governmental reports and the syntactic properties of the two languages. The analysis reveals that the implementation of structures in the target language is intrinsically linked to the coreference mechanism of the null subject in both languages. After a detailed and careful analysis, it is concluded that the most effective translation procedure include the use of independent clauses with null subjects, subjective infinitive clauses (non-finite), gerundive constructions, the use of the imperative mode, and the adoption of the passive voice.
Translation, Chinese, Portuguese, Empty subject sentences, Translation procedures, Report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Maritime contacts between Europe and China proved to be a decisive and particular driving force behind a wide and diversified network of relations practiced on a global scale. The arrival of astonishing and surprising reports gave rise to a strong and intense interest in such a prodigious and wealthy land, whose image quickly spread throughout Europe. Beside the travel narratives, materials and objects from China rose great curiosity and enchantment. In a growing global mercantile economy, China started to play an important role, as its goods and artifacts of great ingenuity and artistry quickly became the target of countless demands. The present article describes the news and the knowledge represented in the travelogues on China and the Chinese products and objects Europe seeks to acquire, use, collect and later imitate? How do they reach Europe and what impact will they have on its daily life? What role do the Portuguese play in this exchange of news and “things” from China? These are some of the questions that this article will try to answer based on concrete examples of the reception and appropriation of Chinese culture in Portugal and Europe.
Portugal-China, Travel writing, Material culture, Europe, Renaissance.
Since its official introduction by China in 2015, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA, 粵港澳大灣區) has become a widely discussed topic. The GBA comprises nine neighboring cities in Guangdong Province and the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. While much has been written about its political status, economic development prospects, and cultural characteristics of each city, little attention has been given to its linguistic commonalities. Although Mandarin is the national language of the GBA, Cantonese serves as the common spoken language among the 11 cities, which contributes to their shared history and cultural heritage. Cantonese holds significant status and influence in China, second only to Mandarin. This article aims to explore the structure and formation background of Lingnan culture and Cantonese language. Furthermore, concerns regarding the potential decline of Cantonese have also spurred contemplation about the use and survival of various languages worldwide.
The Greater Bay Area, Cantonese language, Lingnan culture (the South Ridge culture).
Travel Chronicles as a Source of Culture and Art
The 15th century was one of the most important periods in history for Portugal, particularly for the development of knowledge in the various fields of science, culture and arts. It was at this time that maritime expansion and the conquest of new worlds began, a fact that led to the development of a more noble and advanced art of navigation. Safeguarding all land expeditions, as well as all established trade routes, maritime expansion allowed Europeans to reach remote places on the planet, as happened with the arrival of the Portuguese in India, China and finally, Japan in 1543. Throughout this expansion, we observed the appearance of several written records that report, with a greater or lesser level of description, the experiences of the navigators and their contacts with the people present in the places of arrival. In this context, Peregrinação (Pilgrimage) by Fernão Mendes Pinto proposes the account of a journey through eastern lands between the years 1537 and 1558. Throughout the narrative, there are numerous references to elements of nature and human experience, allowing us to outline a proposed soundscape for every moment and place. Knowing the uniqueness and influence of the sound of a place, we want to identify the sound sources that are identified in the work of Fernão Mendes Pinto, in order to build what we could call the soundscape of Peregrinação (Pilgrimage). To this end, and based on the references he points out, we will try to objectify the elements that, through sound, show life and art, denouncing ways of being different from those experienced in the European space, fostering a dialogue and a connection between the different peoples. Next, we will also attempt to identify points of convergence between the two identified cultures, the Western and the Eastern, with regard to the referenced territories.
Pilgrimage (Peregrinação), Fernão Mendes Pinto, Travel chronicle, East, Soundscape, Intercultural dialogues.
The Digital Silk Road (DSR) is an essential component of China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to improve connectivity and promote economic co-operation in Asia, Europe and Africa. This article explores the origins, objectives and implications of the DSR, as well as its potential impact on digital governance and global technology standards. It analyses China's efforts to position itself as a leader in the digital age by taking advantage of emerging technologies, promoting international cooperation and exporting its digital infrastructures to developing countries.
Network, Trade route, Technology, China, Development.
Zoomorphism in Chinese Solar and Lunar Mythology
In Chinese culture, the importance attributed to the Sun and the Moon – albeit to varying degrees – stems primarily from the influence both celestial bodies exert on the daily lives of ordinary people and, to some extent, on the experiences of the gods themselves. Generally, the Sun is appreciated for the warmth, vitality, and freedom it brings, yet it is also linked to a sense of excessive and selfish independence. The Moon, in contrast, often evokes coldness and distance and is frequently portrayed as the site of the Moon Palace – a liminal space between Earth and Heaven and the final destination of one of the most beloved figures in Chinese mythology: Chang’e. Within Chinese mythological narratives that present the Sun and the Moon as entities with personal desires and intentions – especially in the context of stories involving Houyi, the Archer – both celestial bodies are closely associated with zoomorphic figures: a golden crow (solar) and a hare (lunar). This symbolism not only suggests the development of these myths within tribal and totemic societies but also reflects a deep curiosity about the movements of these celestial orbs, which, in turn, shaped their symbolic interpretations. This article aims, on the one hand, to analyze the significance of the Sun and the Moon in Chinese cultural imagination, highlighting the extent to which they help society navigate an otherwise mysterious world. On the other hand, it explores their metamorphosis and/or association with the aforementioned animals, drawing parallels and offering comparisons with similar mythological motifs in other global traditions.
Golden Crow, Cultural imagination, Moon Hare, Chinese mythography, Comparative mythology, Zoomorphism.
Differences between the popular names of biological species in Chinese and Portuguese
Belonging to two totally different language families, Chinese and Portuguese are translatable. Although there are a number of translation masterpieces available today, it is still essential to remain attentive to the differences in expression and usage that exist between the two languages. With the available resources, it is not difficult to carry out a translation, but an accurate translation still requires a comprehensive knowledge of the cultures that both languages reflect. Language is a concrete reflection of the culture of the community that uses it, expressing its values and vision of the world. This is the case, for example, with the popular names of biological species in different languages, which reveal a certain population's understanding and perspective on the influence of their own culture. This paper exemplifies some differences in the naming of biological species in the two languages in question and briefly analyzes the linguistic and cultural reasons for this. In addition, we also present the results of a comparative study of the popular names of plants with reference to animals, with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of the differences between the two languages and cultures.
Translation, Chinese language, Portuguese language, Chinese culture, hyperonym.
Editorial da Revista Rotas a Oriente 4 (2024).
A China como tema na imprensa alemã do século XVII
A China é um dos países que mais interesse despertou na Europa dos séculos XVII e XVIII. Os primeiros viajantes entoam surpresa e admiração face a uma sociedade de grande abastança, riqueza e polícia. A imagem traçada acerca da sociedade e cultura asiáticas será um tema bem presente nas redes de conhecimento europeias, mormente na imprensa editorial alemã que sempre revelou grande interesse na apropriação e divulgação de notícias e conhecimentos sobre “novos mundos”. O presente artigo pretende aferir qual o lugar reservado à China. Quem são os autores editados na Alemanha dos séculos XVII? Qual o papel do editor na construção e divulgação dos relatos de viagem? Quais as redes e grupos de agentes culturais interessados em divulgar notícias e imagens sobre a China? Que a atividade tipográfica na Europa tinha um grande poder na representação da China não é uma novidade. Importa, todavia, averiguar quais as formas e suportes iconográficos criados nos centros livreiros alemães. Os relatos de viagens como os de portugueses, entre outros, serão editados, em língua alemã, em edições de grande mérito artístico e cultural, pelo que intentar-se-á perceber o papel desta mediação.
China, Europe; 17th century’s press, Travel literature
The Philosophy in Stories for Children about Chinese
Neste artigo que terá como ponto de partida obrigatório a obra referencial de Eça de Queirós, o Mandarim, pretende-se abordar a filosofia ou filosofias subjacentes aos contos infantis contemporâneos portugueses com temáticas chinesas nas obras de escritores como José Cardoso Pires, Alice Vieira, António Torrado e Afonso Cruz, quais os preconceitos que geram, mas também os olhares mais compreensivos e positivos que acolhem no âmbito da atual literatura infantil portuguesa. Vai-se procurar construir a imagem ou imagens filosóficas que nos transmitem dos chineses, das suas mentes e dos seus comportamentos, bem como da matriz cultural e das ideias modelares e arquetípicas, à maneira junguiana, que os escritores portugueses oferecem instintiva ou inconscientemente através de certas personagens para entender como são perspetivados, de um modo positivo e negativo, os chineses.
Literatura infantil, Filosofia, Psicanálise, Arquétipos
Tradução Português-Chinês de Literatura Infantil na Perspetiva da Teoria da Receção: o Caso da Obra A Fada Oriana
The translation of children's literature from Portuguese to Chinese should prioritize the needs and understanding of young Chinese readers, as this directly influences the reception of the original Portuguese work in China. In this paper, we will first present the translation of children's literature in light of Reception Theory, summarizing the four main horizons of expectation attributed to chinese child reader. Then, we will discuss the translation of the bilingual work «奥丽安娜仙女 – A Fada Oriana», chosen as a case study for linguistic, rhetorical and cultural analysis, through specific excerpts. In the final part, we will summarize useful strategies and suggestions, aiming to provide guidance for those who intend to pursue or are already engaged in the specialty of Portuguese-Chinese translation, with a particular focus on children's books, thereby promoting the development of Translation Studies in this field.
Portuguese-Chinese translation, Cross-cultural children's literature, Reception Theory, Translation strategies, The Fairy Oriana, Chinese child reader
Lu Xun translated in Portugal: an overview from 1944
This paper aims to study the Portuguese translation history of Lu Xun: who translated what, when and why? Most of the studies read indicate few translations exist and they were all published after 1976. However, these same studies do not go into sufficient detail about the translation phenomena relating to this author. In order to build up an overview, this study compiles a catalogue of Lu Xun translated in Portugal by reading previous studies and consulting existing catalogues; it then analyses the paratexts of the translations. The compiled catalogue (in Appendices I and II) shows 11 volumes of Lu Xun’s short stories, essays and poems, published between 1944 and 2014. The results indicate that the timeless reason for translating Lu Xun is literary value; however, between 1958 and 1976, ideology stimulated the translations. In addition, several directions are suggested for future research into Lu Xun in Portugal.
Lu Xun, Chinese literature, Portugal, Translation history, Ideology
Translation of Xi Jinping’s The Governance of China: a case study of selected sentences in the light of German functionalism
In recent years, the study of the multilingual translation of works by China’s national leaders has become a new field of academic research, because, in the current international context, this type of translation has gone beyond the action of translation itself, playing a crucial role in shaping China’s image abroad. This article will use the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Vol. I) as a corpus, assuming the theoretical framework of the most representative theories of German functionalism. We will focus on the study of the translation into Portuguese of a selection of classic sentences quoted by Xi Jinping, discussing different translation strategies, especially those related to the symmetrical structure of the Chinese language, the musicality of Chinese characters, and the culture-specific items of Chinese culture. At the same time, we will seek to analyze the motivations that led translators to make certain choices, allowing us to reflect on the quality of the final translation.
China, Xi Jinping, The Governance of China (Vol.I), Chinese-Portuguese translation, German functionalism
Governance Models with Chinese Characteristics
The aim of this study is to carry out a literature review of the concept of governance in the context of the People's Republic of China. While existing studies on Chinese governance often focus on governance from a business perspective, this analysis excludes that realm. Instead, it delves into the field of governance in the sphere of contemporary politics in China, both at the level of foreign and domestic policy, covering the period from 1978 to 2023. The lack of academic consensus on this issue of Chinese positioning in political governance is evident in both China studies and political science, with two predominant perspectives: one that defends China's peaceful rise as a statu quo power and another that presents the 'Chinese threat' as a tangible reality. This article analyses the factors that underpin both trends, highlighting the inherent and strategic ambiguity that characterizes China's positioning in this and other matters, and the role of its governance model in the new global order.
Governance, Politics, China, Global Order
China in the South Atlantic: a matter of security
Although a relatively late actor in the South Atlantic, China has become increasingly involved in the dynamics of the region due to its economic commitments, logistical needs and perceived threats to the security of its investments and diaspora. This article therefore argues that in a context where geo-economics is inseparable from geopolitics, the South Atlantic, although remote for China, has become increasingly important in the operations that the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been conducting in the region since 2014. As we aim to demonstrate, the role that the South Atlantic plays in China's maritime strategy is not qualitatively different from that played by the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. On the contrary, the difference lies mainly in its intensity, since by virtue of its geography the South Atlantic is a distant sea, which makes it less urgent than the Pacific where Chinese assertiveness is high. However, although distant, the South Atlantic tends to allow the PLAN, in the medium and/or long term, to alleviate the pressure exerted by the US on China's coastal waters.
China, South Atlantic, 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Geopolitics