Classic Translation and Theoretical Dissemination Pathways during the Yan’an Period

The Yan’an period was a crucial stage in the theoretical study and theoretical dissemination of the Chinese Communist Party. The CPC incorporated the work of translating and introducing classics into the historical dimension of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, constructing a discourse system that was simultaneously revolutionary, scientific, and practical through systematic textual translation, theoretical interpretation, and mass dissemination. The translation activities of this period were not a mere linguistic conversion; rather, they formed a composite dissemination process integrating text production, theoretical dissemination, and practical guidance within the ideological construction project of the Yan’an period. This process not only realized the shift in the dissemination of Marxist theory from the “study” to the “battlefield” but also established the basic principle of integrating theory with practice for the Party’s journalism and communication endeavors. Through organized compilation mechanisms, popularized dissemination strategies, and practical theoretical transformation, classic translation during the Yan’an period shaped a new type of political communication paradigm within the information network of the revolutionary base areas. Its historical experience provides a typical sample for understanding how the CPC achieved Party building and social mobilization through theoretical dissemination, and it also demonstrates the unique value of the practice of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context within the academic genealogy of the history of Marxist dissemination.

延安时期是中国共产党理论学习与理论传播的关键阶段。中国共产党将经典译介工作纳入马克思主义中国化的历史维度，通过系统性的文本转译、理论阐释与大众传播，构建起兼具革命性、科学性与实践性的话语体系。这一时期的翻译活动并非单纯的语言转换，而是在延安时期思想建设工程中形成的集文本生产、理论传播、实践指导于一体的复合传播过程，既实现了马克思主义理论从“书斋”到“战场”的传播转向，也为党的新闻传播事业确立了理论联系实际的基本原则。延安时期经典翻译通过组织化的编译机制、大众化的传播策略、实践化的理论转化，在革命根据地的信息网络中塑造了新型的政治传播范式，其历史经验为理解中国共产党如何通过理论传播实现政党建设与社会动员提供了典型样本，亦在马克思主义传播史的学术谱系中彰显出中国化实践的独特价值。

The translation of Marxist classic works during the Yan’an period was a theoretical construction project undertaken by the CPC based on the need for revolutionary mobilization. Facing the objective reality of “insufficient theoretical preparation” during the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Party Central Committee incorporated classic translation into the overall layout of the Party’s ideological construction, establishing the political orientation of translation work through institutional design. This institutional design, which integrated translation work into the Party governance system, elevated the translation and introduction of classics beyond mere linguistic conversion, making it a core link in constructing the ideological discourse system of the proletariat. By formulating translation plans, reviewing translated texts, and planning dissemination channels, the central compilation institutions formed a closed-loop mechanism of top-level design, organized implementation, and effect feedback, establishing an institutionalized track for theoretical dissemination and ensuring that Marxist theory entered the discourse space of the revolutionary base areas in a systematic and standardized form.

延安时期的马克思主义经典著作翻译是中国共产党基于革命动员需要而开展的理论建构工程。面对抗战时期“理论准备不足”的客观现实，党中央将经典翻译纳入全党思想建设的整体布局，通过制度设计确立翻译工作的政治导向。将翻译工作纳入政党治理体系的制度设计使经典译介超越单纯的语言转换，成为构建无产阶级意识形态话语体系的核心环节。中央编译机构通过制定翻译计划、审定译本文本、规划传播渠道，形成顶层设计、组织实施与效果反馈的闭环机制，为理论传播建立了制度化轨道，确保马克思主义理论以系统化、规范化的形态进入革命根据地的话语空间。

To overcome the constraints of wartime material conditions and achieve high-quality theoretical support, the CPC Central Committee constructed a specialized compilation system. The Compilation Department of the Marx-Lenin Institute, established in May 1938, gathered a group of scholars with both theoretical literacy and translation ability, creating a working model that combined academic translation with political interpretation. This institution emphasized textual accuracy but also stressed the scholarly exploration of classic works. For example, when translating a selected edition of *Capital*, the translators simultaneously wrote theoretical explanatory articles to help readers understand abstract economic concepts. To meet the military needs of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Military Commission Compilation Office, established in October 1938, focused its translation tasks on translating the military works of Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin, as well as Soviet military materials, and wrote introductory guides in conjunction with the actual conditions of the Chinese battlefield, achieving an organic integration of military theory translation and operational guidance. In May 1939, the CPC Central Committee issued the “Directive on Propaganda and Education Work,” emphasizing that to expand propaganda and education work both inside and outside the Party, Party committees at all levels should use various methods to establish their own printing houses (district Party committees and provincial Party committees should strive to set up letterpress machines) to publish local newspapers and reprint central Party newspapers, books, and pamphlets. Through theoretical study, the CPC Central Committee enhanced the scientific nature of theoretical dissemination while also improving the practical guiding role of Marxist theory, transforming classic works from theoretical texts into actionable revolutionary programs.

为突破战时物质条件限制，实现高质量的理论支持，中共中央构建了专业化的编译体系。1938年5月成立的马列学院编译部汇聚了一批兼具理论素养与翻译能力的学者，开创了学术性翻译与政治性阐释相结合的工作模式。该机构注重文本精准度，更强调对经典著作的学理挖掘。如译者在翻译《资本论》节选本时，同步撰写理论阐释文章，帮助读者理解抽象经济概念。针对抗日战争的军事需求，1938年10月设立的军委编译处重点译介任务是翻译马克思、恩格斯、列宁、斯大林等人的军事著作及苏联的军事资料，并结合中国战场实际撰写导读，实现军事理论翻译与作战指导的有机结合。1939年5月中共中央发布《关于宣传教育工作的指示》，强调为了扩大党内党外的宣传教育工作，要求各级党委应用各种方法建立自己的印刷所（区党委与省委力求设立铅字机）以出版地方报纸，翻印中央党报及书籍小册子。中共中央通过理论学习提升理论传播的科学性，同时提升马克思主义理论的实践指导性，使经典著作从理论文本转化为可操作的革命纲领。

The theoretical dissemination of classic translation during the Yan’an period broke through a single textual dissemination model, forming a three-dimensional dissemination network. In terms of media forms, Party newspapers such as *Liberation Daily* and *New China Daily* opened columns related to “Marxist Research,” serializing excerpts from classic works accompanied by interpretations. Publishing institutions like Liberation Society and Xinhua Bookstore also produced systematic translations in various forms, such as series, selected works, and notes, to meet the in-depth learning needs of Party cadres and members. In response to the actual cultural level of the worker and peasant masses, a strategy of popularizing theory was created, transforming the class theory of the *Communist Manifesto* into colloquial expressions such as “overthrow the local tyrants and divide the land” and “rise up in revolution for emancipation” through forms like *yangge* opera, wall newspapers, and leaflets. [1]1 The Yan’an period (1935–1948) refers to the era when the CPC had its revolutionary base in Yan’an, Shaanxi Province, during which it consolidated its ideological and organizational foundations.

延安时期经典翻译的理论传播突破了单一的文本传播模式，形成立体化的传播网络。在媒介形态上既有《解放日报》《新中华报》等党报开设“马克思主义研究”相关专栏，连载经典著作节选并配解读，还有解放社、新华书店等出版机构推出丛书、选集、笔记等形式多样的系统译本，满足党员干部深度学习需求。针对工农群众文化的实际则创造了理论通俗化传播策略，通过秧歌剧、壁报、传单等形式将《共产党宣言》中的阶级理论转化为“打土豪分田地”“翻身闹革命”等口语化表达。

For example, *yangge* operas such as “Brother and Sister Reclaim the Wasteland” used the life scenes of peasants as a backdrop, depicting the new atmosphere of peasants actively producing and living under the leadership of the CPC, allowing the masses to subtly absorb revolutionary ideas while watching. In terms of dissemination space, in addition to dissemination within the base areas, translated texts were transported to the Kuomintang-controlled areas and even overseas through secret transportation lines, sparking extensive discussion in intellectual circles. The diverse pathways—unifying academic translation with popularized dissemination, complementing organizational dissemination with social dissemination, and echoing dissemination within the base areas with dissemination outside them—constructed a theoretical dissemination network covering different classes and regions, gradually transforming Marxism into a mass discourse with broad mobilizing power.

例如，《兄妹开荒》等秧歌剧以农民的生活场景为背景，展现了农民在中国共产党领导下积极生产和生活的新气象，使群众在观看过程中潜移默化地接受了革命思想。在传播空间上，除根据地内部传播外，通过秘密交通线将译本输送至国统区甚至海外地区，在知识界引发广泛讨论。学术化译介与大众化传播相统一、组织传播与社会传播相互补充、根据地传播与外部传播相呼应的多元路径构建了覆盖不同阶层、不同区域的理论传播网络，使马克思主义逐渐转化为具有广泛动员力的大众话语。

The translation practice of the Yan’an period proved that the vitality of theoretical dissemination lies in deep integration with the local context. Faced with the cognitive gap between Western concepts such as “working class” and “proletarian revolution” in Marxist classic works and the reality of Chinese rural society, the CPC creatively transformed them into localized expressions such as “peasant emancipation” and “defend the homeland and the country.” This strategy of conceptual translation was essentially a localization of dissemination based on the actual conditions of the Chinese revolution. Localized dissemination was not only reflected at the linguistic level but also delved deeper into the reconstruction of theoretical logic: relevant formulations transformed the “city-centered theory” into the revolutionary path of “encircling the cities from the countryside.” This was both a practical breakthrough in classic theory and a paradigm shift in dissemination strategy from literal textual translation to problem-orientation.

延安时期的翻译实践证明，理论传播的生命力在于与本土语境的深度融合。面对马克思主义经典著作中“工人阶级”“无产阶级革命”等西方概念与中国乡村社会的认知差异，中国共产党创造性地将其转化为“农民翻身”“保家卫国”等在地化表达，这种概念转译的传播策略本质上是一种基于中国革命实际的传播本土化。本土化传播除了体现在语言层面，更深入理论逻辑的重构：相关表述将“城市中心论”转化为“农村包围城市”的革命路径，既是对经典理论的实践突破，也是传播策略从文本直译向问题导向的范式转型。

Theoretical dissemination during the Yan’an period did not remain within the didactic communication paradigm of “I speak, you listen.” Instead, under innovative forms, it constructed a deep-level, multi-form, high-standard, and influential communication framework. During the Yan’an period, the CPC organized people from different strata to participate in theoretical study by setting up various types of study groups, discussion forums, and the like, so that theoretical propaganda and theoretical dissemination were no longer confined to a small minority, breaking through the limitations of region, class, and occupation. The cadre colleges and various training classes of the Yan’an period trained a large number of Party cadres and members. Through the interactive communication methods between Party cadres, ordinary Party members, and the masses, they promoted the improvement of theoretical knowledge levels and the in-depth expansion of theoretical dissemination.

延安时期理论传播没有停留在“我说你听”说教式的传播范式，而是在创新性的形式下构建了一个深层次、多形式、高水平和影响大的沟通框架。延安时期，中国共产党通过开办各类学习小组、讨论座谈等形式，组织不同阶层人士参与到理论学习中，使理论宣传和理论传播不再局限于少数人的范围，突破了地域、阶层和职业的限制。延安时期的干部学院和各类训练班培养出了大量的党员干部，借助党员干部、普通党员和人民群众之间的互动沟通方式，推动了理论知识水平提升和理论传播深入展开。

A multi-dimensional communication model was conducive to raising the theoretical knowledge level of the masses and also to enhancing the recognition and support of the masses for the CPC. In the New Era, we should continue to develop this experience, adopting a combination of online and offline methods for multi-level theoretical study, encouraging the masses to actively participate in theoretical research and theoretical propaganda, and promoting theoretical dissemination to be close to the people’s actual lives. At the same time, we should use new media platforms to carry out theoretical lectures, respond to and listen to the relevant demands of the broad masses, and enhance the height, depth, breadth, intensity, and warmth of theoretical dissemination.

多维度的沟通模式有利于提升群众的理论知识水平，也有利于提升人民群众对中国共产党的认可度与支持度。新时代，我们应该继续发扬此经验，采取线上线下相结合的方式进行多层次的理论学习，鼓励人民群众积极投入理论研究与理论宣传中，促进理论传播贴近人民的生活实际。同时，借助新媒体平台开展理论宣讲，回应和倾听广大人民群众的相关诉求，提升理论传播的高度、深度、广度、力度和温度。

The classic translation of the Yan’an period had already demonstrated a dissemination vision extending from local experience to world significance. Marxist classic works and the CPC’s innovative theories were disseminated to regions such as Southeast Asia and Europe through international friends, sparking attention to the “Yan’an experience” within the anti-fascist camp. Taking *On Protracted War* as an example, the “people’s war” theory it contained became an important intellectual resource for the global war against fascism. This dissemination pattern, rooted in China while radiating globally, suggests that theoretical dissemination in the New Era needs to establish a grand historical perspective and a global vision. On the one hand, we should deeply excavate the wisdom from the translation experience of the Yan’an period, such as “integrating theory with practice” and “critically inheriting traditional culture,” to construct a Marxist theoretical dissemination system with Chinese characteristics. On the other hand, taking the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity, through methods such as compiling and translating Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in multiple languages and holding international forums on Marxist dissemination, we should transform the CPC’s theoretical innovation achievements into references and lessons understandable to the international community.

延安时期的经典翻译已展现出本土经验到世界意义的传播视野，马克思主义经典著作和中国共产党创新理论经国际友人传播到东南亚、欧洲等地区，在反法西斯阵营中引发对“延安经验”的关注。以《论持久战》为例，其蕴含的“人民战争”理论成为世界反法西斯战争的重要思想资源。立足中国并辐射世界的传播格局启示新时代理论传播需树立大历史观与全球视野：一方面，深入挖掘延安时期翻译经验中“理论联系实际”“批判地继承传统文化”等智慧，构建具有中国特色的马克思主义传播理论体系；另一方面，以“一带一路”倡议为契机，通过多语种编译习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想、举办马克思主义传播相关国际论坛等方式，将中国共产党的理论创新成果转化为国际社会可理解的参考借鉴。

The practice of classic translation during the Yan’an period was a successful exploration by the Communist Party of China in using the laws of communication to seize ideological leadership. Through the communication logic of institutional design, practical transformation, and social mobilization, it completed the localized reconstruction of Marxist theory and shaped a new type of communication relationship between the Party and the masses, theory and practice, and China and the world.

延安时期的经典翻译实践是中国共产党运用传播规律掌握意识形态领导权的成功探索，其通过制度性设计、实践性转化与社会性动员的传播逻辑完成了马克思主义理论的在地化重构，塑造了政党与群众、理论与实践、中国与世界的新型传播关系。

In the all-media era, revisiting this historical experience offers threefold inspiration for building a modern political communication system: theoretical dissemination must take “solving China’s problems” as its fundamental orientation, demonstrating the power of truth through “integration”; it must take “people’s participation” as its core logic, building consensus through “dialogue”; and it must take “mutual learning among civilizations” as its value pursuit, contributing Chinese wisdom through “communication,” so that Marxist theory always maintains its vigorous vitality and continues to play a guiding role in thought on the journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

在全媒体时代，重温这段历史经验对于构建现代政治传播体系具有三重启示：理论传播需以“解决中国问题”为根本导向，在“结合”中彰显真理力量；需以“人民参与”为核心逻辑，在“对话”中凝聚共识；需以“文明互鉴”为价值追求，在“传播”中贡献中国智慧，让马克思主义理论始终保持蓬勃的生命力，在中华民族伟大复兴的征程中持续发挥思想引领作用。

(This article is a phased result of the National Social Science Fund key project “Research on Improving the Quality of Political Party Building in the New Era” (22ADJ009))

（本文系国家社科基金重点项目“新时代提升党的政治建设质量研究”（22ADJ009）阶段性成果）

(The author is a lecturer at the School of Marxism, Shandong Technology and Business University)

（作者系山东工商学院马克思主义学院讲师）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心