Chinese Fairy Tales (eBook)

Herbert Allen Giles (1845–1935) was a distinguished British sinologist, who contributed significantly to Chinese language scholarship and understanding of Chinese culture. Born to a diplomatic family, Giles spent considerable time in China, which allowed him to develop a profound command over Mandarin and an in-depth appreciation of Chinese literature and folklore. His academic pursuits led to his appointment as a professor at the University of Cambridge, where he was responsible for a wide range of publications pertaining to Chinese language and literature. One particularly notable contribution was his development of the Wade-Giles romanization system, which for many years was the preeminent method for transliterating Chinese characters into the Latin alphabet. Giles' 'Chinese Fairy Tales' is a collection that showcases his passion and expertise in translating and interpreting traditional Chinese stories for a Western audience. Within this work, Giles managed to capture the essence of Chinese oral folklore, bridging cultural gaps with his precise yet poetic translation style. The book is not merely a translation of tales but also an insight into the customs, values, and lore of the Chinese people. Giles' scholarly approach to sinology has established him as a pivotal figure in East-West literary discourse, and his work remains influential in the spheres of cultural studies and translation theory.