Pronunciation and Transliterations
This translation primarily uses the Pinyin romanisation system for all Chinese terms, phrases, proper names and titles excluding journal articles and books, to avoid disrupting the flow of the text. Pinyin is chosen due to its widespread adoption and standardisation in modern academic and educational contexts, offering a consistent and accessible approach to Chinese transliteration. However, in citations, the Wade-Giles system is occasionally used, especially where historical scholarship has established its use. This dual-system approach acknowledges both modern conventions and the historical preferences found in earlier works.
Chinese names are presented in their original order, that is, with the surname first and the given name second. This reflects traditional Chinese naming conventions, ensuring authenticity in the representation of Chinese individuals. The spelling of names for scholars from Sinophone communities is preserved according to their preferences, which may reflect regional or historical variations in romanisation practices.
In addition, the translators have adhered to the anglicised forms of certain place names and personal names that are more commonly recognised in English, such as Yangtze River or Confucius. This approach balances the need for accuracy with the expectations of English-speaking audiences, who may be more familiar with these anglicised versions.
For further clarity and to assist readers who may wish to delve deeper into the source material, the original Chinese characters are provided alongside their transliterations. This practice allows readers familiar with Chinese to cross-reference the translation with the original text, thereby enhancing both the accuracy and the depth of their understanding.
All literal translations are the translators’ own unless otherwise noted. This translation is provided with the understanding that it is copyrighted material and that no quotation from the translation may be published without proper acknowledgement.