Research on the translation of “Shan hai jing” (“The classic of mountains and seas”) by E.M. Yanshina from the perspective of Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of practice

Abstract

Shan Hai Jing (The Classic of Mountains and Seas), a cornerstone of Chinese literature renowned for its rich cultural imagery and fantastical mythological elements, has captivated Russian sinologists since the mid-20th century. The first complete Russian translation was published in 1977, with a revised edition following in 2004. Utilizing Pierre Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice, this article explores the key actors involved in the Russian translation of Shan Hai Jing — translator E.M. Yanshina, project initiator Professor L.D. Pozdneyeva, and the publishing houses responsible for its dissemination — and analyzes how their respective forms of capital and habitus collectively influenced the creation and circulation of the translated work. The study underscores that translation is a multifaceted endeavor embedded within broader social practices, where the dynamic interplay of individual capital, social habitus, and structural forces plays a pivotal and often underappreciated role.