Rethinking translation through relational theories: Chinese classics meet feminist new materialism
tandfonline.com
What happens when ancient Chinese philosophy collides with feminist new materialism? This article argues translation itself must be rethought as a living, relational act — not a neutral transfer of words.
Feminist New MaterialismRelational OntologyTranslation TheoryClassical Chinese Philosophy
Theory Briefing
- Classical Chinese concepts like qi and li reframe translation as a dynamic, relational process rather than a static word-for-word exchange.
- Feminist new materialism challenges the idea that language is fixed, instead treating texts as entangled, ever-shifting material forces.
- The article proposes a new translational framework where meaning emerges through relationships between cultures, bodies, and texts — not authorial intent alone.