Zheng Xiaocang (1892–1979; ), was a Chinese writer,

translator Translation is the communication of the Meaning (linguistic), meaning of a #Source and target languages, source-language text by means of an Dynamic and formal equivalence, equivalent #Source and target languages, target-language text. The ...

, and educator. He is well known for his large publications about education in China. Zheng was a former acting president of

Zhejiang University Zhejiang University, abbreviated as ZJU or Zheda and formerly romanized as Chekiang University, is a national public research university based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. It is a member of the prestigious C9 League and is selected into the na ...

, and former president of

Zhejiang Normal University Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU) is a comprehensive public university in Jinhua city, Zhejiang province, China. Its main campus is next to the Shuanglong Cave national park and covers an area of more than 220 hectares with a total floor space ...

Biography

Zheng was born in September 1892 in

Haining () is a county-level city in Zhejiang Province, China, and under the jurisdiction of Jiaxing. It is in the south side of Yangtze River Delta, and in the north of Zhejiang. It is to the southwest of central Shanghai, and east of Hangzhou, the p ...

County,

Jiaxing Jiaxing (), alternately romanized as Kashing, is a prefecture-level city in northern Zhejiang province, China. Lying on the Grand Canal of China, Jiaxing borders Hangzhou to the southwest, Huzhou to the west, Shanghai to the northeast, and the ...

Zhejiang Province Zhejiang ( or , ; , also romanized as Chekiang) is an eastern, coastal province of the People's Republic of China. Its capital and largest city is Hangzhou, and other notable cities include Ningbo and Wenzhou. Zhejiang is bordered by Jiangs ...

. In June 1912, Zheng graduated from Zhejiang Advanced College (current

) in

Hangzhou Hangzhou ( or , ; , , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ), also romanized as Hangchow, is the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang, China. It is located in the northwestern part of the province, sitting at the head of Hangzhou Bay, whi ...

. In June 1914, Zheng graduated from Tsinghua School (current

Tsinghua University Tsinghua University (; abbreviation, abbr. THU) is a National university, national Public university, public research university in Beijing, China. The university is funded by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Minis ...

) in Beijing. Zheng went to the United States to continue his study. Zheng first studied at the

University of Wisconsin–Madison A university () is an educational institution, institution of higher education, higher (or Tertiary education, tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. Universities ty ...

(BA) then at

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

. Zheng obtained MA (some sources indicate as PhD) from Columbia University. In 1918, Zheng returned to China. Zheng was a professor of education at

Nanjing Normal University Nanjing Normal University (NNU or NJNU; ) is a public research university in Nanjing, China. Founded in 1902 as Sanjiang Normal School, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious higher normal schools in China, and has become a research-intensi ...

and

Southeast University Southeast University (SEU, ) is a public research university located in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. It was formed from one of the oldest universities and the first coeducational university in China, and designated as a member of the Double First C ...

. Zheng served the

Dean Dean may refer to: People * Dean (given name) * Dean (surname), a surname of Anglo-Saxon English origin * Dean (South Korean singer), a stage name for singer Kwon Hyuk * Dean Delannoit, a Belgian singer most known by the mononym Dean Titles * ...

of the School of Education of

National Central University National Central University (NCU, ; Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: ''Kwet-li̍p Chung-yong Thài-ho̍k'', Wade–Giles: ''Kuo2 Li4 Chung Yang Ta4 Hsüeh2'' or ''中大'', ''Chung-ta'') is a public research university with long-standing traditions based in Taiwa ...

(current

Nanjing University Nanjing University (NJU; ) is a national public research university in Nanjing, Jiangsu. It is a member of C9 League and a Class A Double First Class University designated by the Chinese central government. NJU has two main campuses: the Xianl ...

Nanjing Nanjing (; , Mandarin pronunciation: ), alternately romanized as Nanking, is the capital of Jiangsu province of the People's Republic of China. It is a sub-provincial city, a megacity, and the second largest city in the East China region. T ...

Jiangsu Province Jiangsu (; ; pinyin: Jiāngsū, alternatively romanized as Kiangsu or Chiangsu) is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the leading provinces in finance, education, technology, and tourism, with its ca ...

) for ten years. From June 1928, Zheng taught at Zhejiang University. Zheng founded the department of education at Zhejiang University. Zheng was the head of the education department of Zhejiang University, then the Dean of School of Education. Zheng was also the head of

Graduate School Postgraduate or graduate education refers to Academic degree, academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by higher education, post-secondary students who have earned an Undergraduate education, un ...

, the Provost, and the acting President of Zhejiang University (from February to April 1936).Biography of Zheng Xiaocang from Zhejiang University
In 1952, the old Zhejiang University was split, and the new

Hangzhou Normal College Hangzhou Normal University (), or Hangzhou Teachers College, is a public university in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, China. Having merged with Hangzhou Education College and Hangzhou Medical Junior College, HNU comprises nine ...

(杭州师范学院; later promoted to

Hangzhou University Hangzhou University (), colloquially called Hangda () and formerly romanised as Hangchow University, was a public university in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. The university was founded as Zhejiang Teachers College () in 1952 by merging the department ...

; and Hangzhou University was re-merged into Zhejiang University in 1998; this Hangzhou Normal School is totally different from current ''Hangzhou Normal University'') was established from the faculties and resources of Zhejiang University. Zheng was pointed professor of Hangzhou University and Zhejiang Normal College (current

). In 1962, Zheng was appointed the president of

. Zheng was the honorary president of Zhejiang Education Society (浙江省教育学会). Zheng was a standing member of the

China Association for Promoting Democracy The China Association for Promoting Democracy ( zh, s=中国民主促进会, p=Zhōngguó Mínzhǔ Cùjìnhuì) is one of the eight legally recognised minor political parties in the People's Republic of China that follow the direction of the ...

Central Committee Central committee is the common designation of a standing administrative body of Communist party, communist parties, analogous to a board of directors, of both ruling and nonruling parties of former and existing socialist states. In such party org ...

. On 12 March 1979, Zheng died in Hangzhou.

Translation work

Zheng is also well known for his

translation Translation is the communication of the Meaning (linguistic), meaning of a #Source and target languages, source-language text by means of an Dynamic and formal equivalence, equivalent #Source and target languages, target-language text. The ...

of American novels, especially his translation of

Louisa May Alcott Louisa May Alcott (; November 29, 1832March 6, 1888) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known as the author of the novel ''Little Women'' (1868) and its sequels ''Little Men'' (1871) and ''Jo's Boys'' (1886). Raised in ...

's works (including the ''

Little Women ''Little Women'' is a coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888). Alcott wrote the book, originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, at the request of her publisher. The story follows the lives ...

'', ''

Little Men ''Little Men,'' or ''Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys,'' is a children's novel by American author Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888), which was first published in 1871 by Roberts Brothers. The book reprises characters from her 1868–69 two-volume ...

'', etc.) are still considered as high quality and the best version.

References

External links

* Longquan News
Zheng Xiaocang and Longquan
* Hudong.com
Biography of Zheng Xiaocang

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zheng, Xiaocang English–Chinese translators 1892 births 1979 deaths Zhejiang University alumni Tsinghua University alumni University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni Columbia University alumni Zhejiang University faculty Nanjing University faculty Republic of China translators People's Republic of China translators Writers from Jiaxing Educators from Jiaxing 20th-century Chinese translators