Montreal Hung Tao Society and Dr. Kiang
弘道会 (1930-1933)
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In 1931, with the cooperation of the Department of Extramural relations, Kiang organized the Hung Tao Society of Montreal as a branch of the parent society in China, for the diffusion of Chinese thought and the popularization of Chinese philosophy. There were two sections, one for the English-speaking Chinese and the other for the Chinese-speaking Chinese. The society featured regular lectures from Dr. Kiang each academic year on cultural subjects and a number of special and social meetings at which Chinese teas and dinners were served.
For more information, view the digital archival below.
The society also consists of committees which are elected by the presiding members each year. Hung Tao Society also offered scholarship and bursaries for Chinese students in Arts and Science and Canadian students in the Chinese Department at McGill.
After the departure of Dr. Kiang, there are evidence that the society was active at least until the 1940s (The Montreal Gazette Archives 1940).
(“Archival Collections Catalogue,” Hung Tao Society, p.22, 48, 54)
Translation of Classical Chinese
Translation of Classical Chinese
Figrue: letters regarding Hun Tao Society, taken from McGill University Archive.
A Notice by Hung Tao Society
A Notice by Hung Tao Society
With respect, the Montreal Chinese Hong Dao Hui, enters its third year of operations on October 3rd. On the 10th of October, Zhen Xiang was selected as the new president and the two gentlemen, Li Shi Quan and Tan Xi Qiang as the new secretaries. Suppose that the Chinese Youth Association has booked its venue on the last week of every month. On such evening at Eight o’clock, the regular meeting will be held and the Professor. Jiang Yuan Wan will be invited to present his academic culture. Rest of the Sunday afternoon from 4:30pm till 6pm, lady Wu Jiu Wen from Nan Jing will teach Mandarin and in this respect notify the first and second year’s old members. Moreover, The new members shall submit the one Yuan conference fee before the usual meeting on the 27th of this month to me or perhaps the secretary can collect it so as to pass on to the university registration to produce a receipt and look forward to the promptly attendance at meetings every week to cooperate on great undertakings which is appreciated.
Best wishes for your welfare
Zhao Zhen Xiang is elected as the president for the third year
Republic of China 1932 November 10th
Chinese Transcription
Chinese Transcription
敬啟者: 滿城弘道會華人分會苐三年巳於十月三十曰選定禎祥為新任會長, 李石泉谭錫強兩先生為新任書记。假中華靑年會會埸, 訂每月最末星期曰晚八時开常會, 請江亢虎博士演講中國學術文化。其餘星期曰下午四時半至六時請南京吳允文女士教授國语, 為此通告。苐一二年舊會員并新會員務於本月二十七日常會以前將本年會費一元繳付鄙手或書記收齊, 以便轉交大學註冊, 掣付收據并聁每星期按時到會, 共襄盛舉為荷。
此颂 台安
當選苐三年會長趙禎祥謹啟
二十一年十一月十日
Translation Note
Translation Note
The letter on Hung Tao Society is an example of a Classical Chinese writing that is read from right to left, and from top to bottom. While some words can be understood by modern Chinese speakers, there are phrases used in the letter that are outdates.
Vocabulary:
滿城 - mǎn chéng
Meaning: refer to the city of Montreal; unlike the modern version 蒙特利尔 (Mandarin)/ 蒙特利爾 (Cantonese) .
Usage: ex. 滿城華人服務中心 (found on this site 中心新闻)
為荷 - wéi hé
Meaning: for this I am grateful, to express one's appreciation
Usage: ex. 接洽为荷 (Thank you for contacting)
颂 - sòng
Meaning: good wishes
Usage: 祝颂 (extend good wishes)
台安 - tái ān
Meaning: Your welfare, great wellness
Usage: Often used in letter as a honorific expression
Sources:
Hung Tao Society, archivalcollections.library.mcgill.ca/index.php/kiang-kang-
hu-fonds, Kiang Kang-Hu Fonds, McGill University Archives, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Zheng, Macy. Principal Sir Arthur Currie and the Department of Chinese Studies at McGill. Fontanus from the Collection of Mcgill
University, 13 (2013). https://doi.org/10.26443/fo.v13i.253
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