Speaker: Sophie Ling-chia Wei, Associate Professor, Department of Translation, Chinese University of Hong Kong; HYI Visiting Scholar, 2023-24
Chair/Discussant: James Robson, James C. Kralik and Yunli Lou Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University

When Christianity was introduced to China in the Ming and Qing dynasties, translations of sacred texts and stories of biblical figures were employed for the purpose of proselytization. The Jesuit Figurists’ translations took on lives of their own, going on to create impact through new and interesting parallels between Chinese mythological figures and the image of Jesus Christ. The making of Jesus in the hands of the Jesuit Figurists revealed their intention of establishing a communal space between Christianity and Chinese history and culture.