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Abstract
This paper traces the dual role of Saint-John Perse (1887–1975) as both poet and diplomat, examining his connections with China while reviewing the translation of his works in the country and providing an overview of his current status within Chinese literary and academic circles. As a diplomat, Perse spent five years in Beijing; as a poet, he drew inspiration from China, contributing to his unique relationship with the country. The earliest Chinese translations of Perse’s poetry appeared in the 1940s and his poems were rediscovered in the 1980s during China’s revival wave of prose poetry. At present, most of Perse’s poems have been translated into Chinese, while his letters and other non-poetic writings remain entirely untranslated. Research on Perse in China primarily focuses on his connections to the country, with Chinese scholars suggesting that various elements of Chinese culture, such as Taoism, desert culture, and classical Chinese literature, have influenced his creative process. However, studies on Perse in China face challenges due to a lack of diverse perspectives. It is hoped that the translation of Perse’s works, particularly his non-poetic writings, will be further promoted, facilitating a more comprehensive and profound exploration of his literary domain.
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- Chinese
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Notes
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Pierre Morel served as the French Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China from 1992 to 1996.
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Modern-day Ulaanbaatar.
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Translated by Denis Devlin, the first edition published by Pantheon Books/Bollingen Series in 1949.
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Funding
Major Program of National Fund of Philosophy and Social Science of China (Project No. 19ZDA221). China Scholarship Council (Project No. 202306380140).
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Du, J. Translation and Recognition of Saint-John Perse’s Works in China. Neophilologus 109, 139–154 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11061-025-09833-3
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- DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s11061-025-09833-3
Keywords
- Saint-John Perse
- China
- Poetry
- Translation
- Recognition
