Before the 19th century, Britain learned about Chinese culture by translating the works of Jesuits from the European continent. In 1792, the British delegation visited China, initiating direct cultural exchanges between China and Britain. At the beginning of the 19th century, British missionaries, politicians, and diplomats such as Morrison, Adam Smith, and Debussy came to China to translate Chinese cultural classics into English and write works on Chinese studies. Debussy was an important pioneer in translating Chinese literature into English, but there is insufficient academic research on his translation philosophy and cultural communication role. This article focuses on the translation practice of Derbyshev and explores its contribution to cultural communication between China and foreign countries.

1、 De Bishi's Life and Achievements in Sinology

Deby was born in India in 1795. His father was a director of the British East India Company. He came to China in 1813 and served as a scribe, member of a diplomatic mission, commercial supervisor, governor, and ambassador. After 35 years in China, from a businessman to a diplomat, he has made significant achievements in translating Chinese literature into English and studying China, becoming an important figure in the history of Chinese cultural translation and diplomatic research. De Bishi diligently studied Chinese, translated multiple literary works, authored monographs, translated the Di Bao and the third chapter of "Dream of the Red Chamber" into English, and published multiple papers. Its translation and research are based on the year 1833, with a focus on translating literary works into English in the early stages and later shifting towards research. The purpose of Debishi's translation is to understand Chinese culture through translation, and its translation carries a cultural communication color. After becoming a diplomat, he turned to research and gained a broader understanding of China, seeking benefits for Britain. Translation and research in Derbyshire are utilitarian and practical, with relatively weak academic relevance. He was the first translator to directly translate Chinese literary works into English, ending the history of Britain translating Chinese literary works from Europe. His translated works cover various genres such as novels, dramas, and poetry, focusing on the lives of ordinary people and secular culture. From the perspective of translation history, Derbyshev marked the beginning of English translation of Chinese literature. Wang Hongzhi believes that a case study of Derbyshev can help enhance our understanding of early British Sinology. Previous studies have mostly focused on language translation, but this article will explore its translation value from the perspective of cultural history of translation.

2、 English translation of novel: Focus on secular culture

Debishi is committed to spreading Chinese secular culture by translating four Chinese novels: "San He Lou," "Zhao Ge Lou," "Duojin Lou," and "Hao Pang Zhuan. He studied Chinese and adopted the Chinese English translation teaching method, publishing the translation exercise "San He Lou" with the aim of understanding Chinese culture. In 1816, the Asian Journal reprinted the translation, and the editor believed that it presented Chinese ethnic customs. Debishi pays attention to details in translation, such as guiding poems and commentaries, to reflect Chinese cultural ideas. He added the title 'Moral' when translating 'Commentary', reminding readers that China values morality and reflecting their views on Chinese culture. In 1822, "San Yu Lou" was reissued with the title "The Three Dedicated Chambers", emphasizing its moral attributes. Deborah's translation has attracted the attention of British media, and critics believe that its translation shows the customs, ways of thinking and character characteristics of Chinese people.

3、 Drama English Translation: Communicating Chinese and Western Drama Cultures

In depth exploration of Derbyshev's work in translating Chinese drama into English, as well as his role in cultural exchange between Chinese and Western drama. As the earliest Chinese drama to influence the West, "The Orphan of Zhao" showcases the educative function and personal charm of Chinese drama, forming a sharp contrast with Western tragic concepts. Voltaire adapted it into "The Orphan of China" to promote Enlightenment ideas. The English translation of "Lao Sheng Er" by Debi not only conveys Confucian moral concepts, but also reflects the social life of the Yuan Dynasty through family stories. At the same time, the translation focuses on showcasing the poetic charm and cultural characteristics of Chinese drama. De Bishi's translation of 'Han Palace Autumn' emphasizes the cultural value of historical dramas and attempts to use Western theatrical concepts to interpret Chinese drama, promoting dialogue between Chinese and Western theatrical cultures. In addition, Debussy deleted unhealthy content during the translation process, striving to be faithful to the original text. His work was recognized by the critical community at that time, marking the beginning of China's theatrical culture truly moving towards the West.

4、 Interpretation of Chinese Poetry: Conveying the Cultural Style of Chinese Poetry

In depth exploration of Derbyshev's creation and influence on the "Interpretation of Chinese Poetry", analysis of his comprehensive interpretation of Chinese poetry and innovation in the form of Chinese English comparison. In his 1829 book "Interpretation of Chinese Poetry", Debussy systematically summarized Chinese poetry from three aspects: form and technique, subject matter and content, and spirit, covering elements such as Chinese pronunciation characteristics, four tones and tones, word count, pauses, rhymes, and couplets. He adopts a historical perspective to examine the development of Chinese poetry, pointing out that the forms and techniques of Tang Dynasty poetry were already quite mature. At the same time, he believes that China lacked long epic poems. Although this viewpoint is incorrect, it reflects his unique insights.

5、 Conclusion

Deby's translation work showcases the multidimensional aspects of Chinese culture, and through translating Chinese literary works into English, it promotes Britain's understanding of Chinese daily life, customs, civilized etiquette, and thinking patterns. Although its translation activity is a one-way cultural flow, it has had a positive impact on British culture and deepened British people's understanding of China.