TITLE:
The State of Translation and Research on Ethnic Classics in Inner Mongolia
AUTHORS:
Shuning Zhang
KEYWORDS:
Inner Mongolia, Ethnic Classics, Translation and Research
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.14 No.9,
September
17,
2026
ABSTRACT: The ethnic classics of Inner Mongolia constitute an important part of China’s ethnic classical heritage. Distinctive in ethnic character and rich in cultural transmission, they serve as an essential source for scholarship on the history and folk customs of the Mongolian peoples. Research on these classics and their translation has grown considerably in recent years. Much of this work, however, remains limited in perspective, lacking both systematic scope and sustained inquiry, and little attention has been paid to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. As a result, research methods have become outdated, and translation practice has seen little reform or innovation. Drawing on a review of the existing literature on the translation and study of Inner Mongolia’s ethnic classics, this article examines the translation of major works such as The Secret History of the Mongols, Jangar, and Yinshan Zhengyao (Proper and Essential Food and Drink). On this basis, it identifies current trends and assesses the present state of research in the field, with a view to offering a reference for future studies of ethnic classics in translation.