关键词: 马戛尔尼使团, 百灵, 信件, 翻译

Abstract: Letter from Francis Baring, the Chairman of the East India Company, to the Viceroy was the prologue to the first Sino-British Diplomatic contact in 1793. The Chinese translations of this letter greatly influenced Qian Longs attitude to and understanding of the Embassy. By studying the historical materials, this article discusses several crucial issues related to the translation of the letter: How was the letter translated Who translated it What are the similarities and differences among the three Chinese versions What impacts were brought about by the Chinese versions on China and Great Britain It is hoped that, by answering these questions, we will more profoundly understand the forms and features of translation at the first encounter of the two powers in the late18th century.

Key words: Macartney Embassy, Baring, letter, translation