《万国公法》翻译底本问题新探

The Master Copy of Translating Wan Guo Gong Fa

美国法学家亨利·惠顿所著Elements of International Law一书,自1836年出版后,受到学界好评,该书以多种语言在许多国家出版。1864年,在清朝官员的帮助下,中文版《万国公法》得以问世,翻译者为美国传教士丁韪良。围绕《万国公法》的翻译底本,学界聚讼不已,文章以历史史料为基础,认为其翻译底本应为1855年波士顿版或者1857年重印本。

Elements of International Law published in 1836 was written by America lawyer Henry Wheaton. The book was praised by academic circle and was published in many kinds of languages. 1864,Elements of International Law was published in China,and then it was translated by the American missionary William M. P. Matin with the help of Qing dynasty official. As for the master copy of translation,academic circle had disputed for years. The article,based on the historical data,thinks that it was translated according to 1855 or 1857 Boston copy or reprint.