A Study on Lin Zexu’s Translation Practice from the Perspective of Actor-Network Theory
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A Study on Lin Zexu’s Translation Practice from the Perspective of Actor-Network Theory

Xintong Li 1*
1 Nanjing University
*Corresponding author: Xintong_li0518@163.com
Published on 11 July 2025
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LNEP Vol.106
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-253-9
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-254-6
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Abstract

This paper applies Actor-Network Theory to analyze Lin Zexu’s translation practice in Ao-men Hsin-wen-chih, investigating how he constructed an actor-network to introduce Western knowledge into Qing Dynasty China. It demonstrates that Lin Zexu, as the central actor, mobilized both human actors—such as translators and the Qing government—and non-human actors—including the newspaper itself, translated texts, and anti-opium policies—forging new roles and meanings through translation. Rather than passively conveying the information from the source text, the translators acted as active mediators, adapting Western knowledge to fit the Chinese context, supporting Lin Zexu’s anti-opium campaign, development of military power and foreign policies while accommodating the translation to the ideology of the Qing court to protect the nation’s image and avoid political persecution. The study highlights translation’s crucial role in shaping China’s early encounters with and efforts to learn from the West, while offering a new case for applying Actor-Network Theory in translation studies.

Keywords:

Actor-Network Theory, Lin Zexu, Ao-men Hsin-wen-chih, Translation, Modern China

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Li,X. (2025). A Study on Lin Zexu’s Translation Practice from the Perspective of Actor-Network Theory. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,106,24-32.

References

[1]. Su Jing. “The World Through Lin Zexu’s Eyes: Original Texts and Translations of ‘Ao-men Hsin-wen-chih’” [M]. Guilin: Guangxi Normal University Press, 2017: 3-488.

[2]. Latour, Bruno. On Actor-Network Theory: A Few Clarifications [J]. Soziale Welt, vol. 47, no. 4, 1996, pp. 369–81.

[3]. Callon, M. & B. Latour. “Unscrewing the big Leviathan: How actors macrostructure reality and how sociologists help them to do so” [A]. In K. Knorr-Cetina & A. Cicourel (eds). Advances in Social Theory and Methodology: Toward an Integration of Micro- and Macro Sociologies [C]. Boston: Routledge, 1981.

[4]. Buzelin, H. “Unexpected allies: How Latour’s network theory could complement Bourdieusian analysis in translation studies” [J]. The Translator, 2005(2)：193-218

[5]. Huang Dexian. “Translation: Existing in the Network” [J]. Shanghai Journal of Translators, 2006, (04): 6-11.

[6]. Zhou Biao, Zhang Jin. “Actor Network Theory and Southwest Minority tourism Translation” [J]. Guizhou Ethnic Studies, 2013, 34 (03): 67-70.

[7]. Wang Xiulu. “Actor network translation studies” [J].Shanghai Journal of Translators, 2019, (02)： 14-20.

[8]. Wang Feng, Qiao Chong. “Methodological Implications of Actor-Network Theory for Translation Studies” [J]. Foreign Languages in China, 2023, 20(05): 88-95.

[9]. Zhan Cheng, Zhang Han. “An Analysis of State Translation Program from the Perspective of Actor-Network Theory” [J].Foreign Languages in China，2023，20(05)：96-102.

[10]. Luo Wenyan. “Applying Actor-Network Theory to the Description of Translation Production Process: A Case Study of Arthur Waley’s Translation of Journey to the West from Chinese to English” [J].Foreign Languages Research, 2020, 37 (02)：84-90.

[11]. Christian Nord. “Translating as a purposeful activity” [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001

References

[1]. Su Jing. “The World Through Lin Zexu’s Eyes: Original Texts and Translations of ‘Ao-men Hsin-wen-chih’” [M]. Guilin: Guangxi Normal University Press, 2017: 3-488.

[2]. Latour, Bruno. On Actor-Network Theory: A Few Clarifications [J]. Soziale Welt, vol. 47, no. 4, 1996, pp. 369–81.

[3]. Callon, M. & B. Latour. “Unscrewing the big Leviathan: How actors macrostructure reality and how sociologists help them to do so” [A]. In K. Knorr-Cetina & A. Cicourel (eds). Advances in Social Theory and Methodology: Toward an Integration of Micro- and Macro Sociologies [C]. Boston: Routledge, 1981.

[4]. Buzelin, H. “Unexpected allies: How Latour’s network theory could complement Bourdieusian analysis in translation studies” [J]. The Translator, 2005(2)：193-218

[5]. Huang Dexian. “Translation: Existing in the Network” [J]. Shanghai Journal of Translators, 2006, (04): 6-11.

[6]. Zhou Biao, Zhang Jin. “Actor Network Theory and Southwest Minority tourism Translation” [J]. Guizhou Ethnic Studies, 2013, 34 (03): 67-70.

[7]. Wang Xiulu. “Actor network translation studies” [J].Shanghai Journal of Translators, 2019, (02)： 14-20.

[8]. Wang Feng, Qiao Chong. “Methodological Implications of Actor-Network Theory for Translation Studies” [J]. Foreign Languages in China, 2023, 20(05): 88-95.

[9]. Zhan Cheng, Zhang Han. “An Analysis of State Translation Program from the Perspective of Actor-Network Theory” [J].Foreign Languages in China，2023，20(05)：96-102.

[10]. Luo Wenyan. “Applying Actor-Network Theory to the Description of Translation Production Process: A Case Study of Arthur Waley’s Translation of Journey to the West from Chinese to English” [J].Foreign Languages Research, 2020, 37 (02)：84-90.

[11]. Christian Nord. “Translating as a purposeful activity” [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2001

Cite this article

Li,X. (2025). A Study on Lin Zexu’s Translation Practice from the Perspective of Actor-Network Theory. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,106,24-32.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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Volume title: Proceedings of ICEIPI 2025 Symposium: AI Am Ready: Artificial Intelligence as Pedagogical Scaffold

ISBN: 978-1-80590-253-9(Print) / 978-1-80590-254-6(Online)
Editor: Kurt Buhring, Gregg S. Lloren
Conference website: https://2025.iceipi.org/Cebu.html
Conference date: 23 July 2025
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.106
ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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