JOURNAL ARTICLE
Abstract: This paper examines the interrelationship between linguistic features and socio-historical motivations in three canonical English translations of Cha Jing (《茶经》), a foundational classical Chinese text on tea culture. Through a quantitative comparative analysis of lexical, syntactic, and textual dimensions, the study employs Bourdieu’s field theory to decode the social logic underpinning translators’ strategic choices. The analysis reveals distinct translational paradigms: Carpenter’s rendition emphasizes accessibility through simplified discourse; the Jiangs’ version constructs an academic paradigm prioritizing cultural authenticity and textual fidelity; Qiu’s translation integrates interdisciplinary approaches with a mission-driven focus on cross-cultural transmission. By synthesizing these findings, the paper advances empirical understanding of linguistic patterns in classical Chinese translation, while contributing to theoretical discourse on translation as a socially situated practice. The study further offers actionable insights for future translation projects in globalized cultural contexts.
Keywords: English translation of Cha Jing, Socio-Translation studies, Corpus Linguistics
Article Info: Received: 21 Nov 2025, Received in revised form: 20 Dec 2025, Accepted: 24 Dec 2025, Available online: 30 Dec 2025
Ref
