Introdution to Western Literature on Dong Duong tap chi (The Journal of Indochina)

Abstract

“Dong Duong tap chi” (“The Journal of Indochina”, 1913-1919) was as an effort to disseminate Western scientific knowledge to Vietnamese audiences via selective translations. The translation team at “Dong Duong tap chi” could indeed be considered pioneers in this field in Tonkin. Thanks to the movement of translating Western literature initiated by “Dong Duong tap chi”, translators in Tonkin rapidly increased, both as respects numbers and quality, which in turn, made remarkable contributions to the modernization of Vietnamese literature in early 20th century. The emergence of Western literature on “Dong Duong tap chi” had a distinctive identity as compared to other “quoc ngu” (national script) press journals published earlier in Cochinchina. This article discusses the criteria for selecting Western literary works and authors by the Editorial Board of “Dong Duong tap chi”, as well as identifies the most popular authors and major themes of this journal.