Gender and Feminism in Pearson’s English Translation of I Ching

Abstract

I Ching is one of the oldest and most significant texts in Chinese culture. For thousands of years, it has served not only as a system of divination but also as an embodiment of wisdom, philosophy, and cosmology. Through its translation into numerous languages, I Ching has garnered worldwide recognition, establishing itself as a cornerstone text for worldwide studies in sinology, philosophy, and comparative religion. I Ching, in translation, remains a subject of intense scholarly interest. Its journey into world languages consistently sparks vibrant discussions regarding cross-cultural interpretation, philosophical fidelity, and the evolving role of the translator. However, little scholarly attention has been devoted to specifically investigating the role of gender awareness in the translation of I Ching. Drawing on Flotow’s feminist translation theory, this paper examines how Margaret J. Pearson employs feminist translation strategies such as supplementing, prefacing, footnoting, and hijacking to mitigate the inherent gender discrimination in her English translation of I Ching. It finds out that Pearson’s magnifies the active roles of female figures. Through analysis of five selected examples, this paper aims to illuminate Pearson’s distinctive gender consciousness and her contribution to interpretating ancient classics from a feminist perspective.