Chinese Stories Research Articles

A study of Pathlight: literary cultural diplomacy in China today

ABSTRACT This article examines nine years of Pathlight: New Chinese Writing (2011–2018), the English edition of the Chinese literary magazine, People’s Literature, as one of the recent instruments developed by the Chinese government to build soft power and tell the world the Chinese story. It focuses on the narratives being selected, translated, and exported into English-speaking countries via Pathlight, compares this effort at cultural diplomacy to earlier such projects in China, and sets Pathlight into President Xi’s ideological focus of ‘the Chinese Dream.’

The World is the “Hometown” of the Camera: Interview with Jia Zhangke

Abstract In this interview, director Jia Zhangke shares the background and thought process behind his latest documentary Swimming Out Till the Sea Turns Blue (Yizhi Youdao Haishui Bianlan, 2021). Through the lens of rural literature, the film narrates 70 years of China’s social changes since 1949, featuring four writers – Jia Pingwa, Yu Hua, Liang Hong, and Duan Huifang, the daughter of Ma Feng – as the storytellers. The film explores the evolving relationship between urban and rural China and individual life experiences across different historical periods. Jia Zhangke emphasizes that the hometown is not only the starting point of creation but also a spiritual destination. He discusses the cultural value of dialects and traditional opera, highlighting that cinema should convey core Chinese stories through local narratives to preserve societal memory.

Research on Publicity Translation of International Sports Events Based on Eco-Translatology—A Case Study of Hangzhou Asian Games

The paper takes the perspective of Eco-translatology and focuses on the translation of publicity materials in international sports events. The official website of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou was selected as the research object and “three-dimensional transformations” were adopted as the research methods. The study analyses the causes of the strategies used in the translation and provides corresponding translation methods such as combination, transliteration, recreation and omission based on the linguistic, cultural and communicative dimensions. The research aims to provide references and reflections for the future publicity translation of international sports events when telling Chinese stories and promoting Chinese culture going abroad.

Literary metamorphosis: a corpus-assisted approach to characterisation in The Rouge of the North and “The Golden Cangue”

Based on her Chinese story “Jinsuo Ji”, the renowned bilingual writer Eileen Chang produced two English versions, i.e. The Rouge of the North and “The Golden Cangue”. The basic difference between the two English versions lies in that The Rouge of the North is more of a rewriting, while “The Golden Cangue” is a direct translation. An interesting issue emerges as to how characters are constructed in those two inter-related texts. This study, taking direct speech as an indicator of character portrayal, adopts a corpus-assisted approach to characterisation in the two texts. The study elaborates on the functions fulfilled by direct speech in constructing characters and carries out a comparative analysis of characterisation in the two texts. The results show that, due to distinctive uses of direct speech, there are subtle yet definite differences between The Rouge of the North and “The Golden Cangue” in shaping characters’ verbal prominence, establishing characters’ verbal interactional relationships, and presenting the protagonists’ linguistic features. Devoted to the issue of characterisation in literary metamorphosis, the study demonstrates the multiple functions performed by direct speech in character portrayal and has some implications for improving corpus methods to examine the complexities of characterisation.

Research on Chinese Universities' Communication Work for Global Southern Z-Generation Youth under the Theory of "The Bias of Communication" —A Case Study Based on Z University's Communication with Africa

At present, the significant role of strengthening international communication efforts towards the Global South is increasingly highlighted, with communication work targeting Z-Generation youth being a top priority in promoting the construction of international communication capabilities. The rise and development of the Theory of The Bias of Communication holds certain contemporary value. In the new era, China's communication work towards the Global Southern Z-Generation youth should apply this theory critically, which is specifically manifested in facing China's modernization development strategy and the concept of a community with a shared future, emphasizing the status of communication media and the renewal of new media, and promoting the shift from media dominance to content as king. Faced with challenges such as China's international communication capacity does not match the level of its comprehensive national strength and the disadvantages of “time-biased” and “space-biased” media in a late-developing context, based on the practical experience of Z University's communication work with African Z-Generation youth, Chinese universities' international communication work for Global Southern Z-Generation youth should create a fluid channel for the transformation of time and space on the basis of balancing time and space, thereby actively responding to national strategic needs. It should undertake the mission of the times to tell Chinese stories and spread Chinese voices, and build an international communication discourse system with Chinese characteristics, becoming an important position for comprehensively improving international communication efficiency.

The Role of Community Aesthetics in the External Communication Discourse System of Chinese Films Under the Background of the “Belt and Road” Initiative

As a cultural product, films bear the mission and responsibility of shaping the national image and conveying the spirit of China in international cultural exchanges. However, since the proposal of the “Belt and Road” initiative in 2013, the dissemination of Chinese films in countries along the route has remained unsatisfactory, thereby underscoring the urgency of reconstructing the discourse system for the external communication of Chinese films. To address this issue, it is of the utmost importance to establish a creative orientation that is focused on reshaping China’s image, fully exploring Chinese stories and the essence of the Chinese spirit, and developing a discourse system that is centered on Chinese narratives and supported by the theoretical framework of community aesthetics. Moreover, it is vital to engage in comprehensive collaboration in cultural exchanges with countries along the Belt and Road. This necessitates the adaptation of Chinese film promotion and distribution strategies to align with the characteristics of the new media era. Leveraging the aggregating power of new media platforms and online communities is essential for the creation of a sustainable and Chinese-style industrial model for the global dissemination of Chinese films.

The Role of Community Aesthetics in the External Communication Discourse System of Chinese Films Under the Background of the “Belt and Road” Initiative

As a cultural product, films bear the mission and responsibility of shaping the national image and conveying the spirit of China in international cultural exchanges. However, since the proposal of the “Belt and Road” initiative in 2013, the dissemination of Chinese films in countries along the route has remained unsatisfactory, thereby underscoring the urgency of reconstructing the discourse system for the external communication of Chinese films. To address this issue, it is of the utmost importance to establish a creative orientation that is focused on reshaping China’s image, fully exploring Chinese stories and the essence of the Chinese spirit, and developing a discourse system that is centered on Chinese narratives and supported by the theoretical framework of community aesthetics. Moreover, it is vital to engage in comprehensive collaboration in cultural exchanges with countries along the Belt and Road. This necessitates the adaptation of Chinese film promotion and distribution strategies to align with the characteristics of the new media era. Leveraging the aggregating power of new media platforms and online communities is essential for the creation of a sustainable and Chinese-style industrial model for the global dissemination of Chinese films.

The Challenges and Countermeasures in Integrating Chinese Traditional Culture into English Listening and Speaking Course

Foreign language education involves not only language education but also cultural education. It is the new mission of today’s foreign language education to integrate Chinese traditional culture into foreign language teaching and cultivate foreign language talents who can tell Chinese stories well and spread Chinese voice. As a basic course for English majors, English Listening and Speaking faces many challenges when it is integrated into Chinese traditional culture, such as complex teaching content, limited teaching resources, insufficient teachers’ literacy, and students’ listening and speaking difficulties. In order to solve these problems, teachers and universities should work together to sort out the connotation of Chinese traditional culture, develop audio-visual teaching materials, organize teacher training, and innovate teaching methods, so as to effectively promote the connection between Chinese traditional culture and English Listening and Speaking curriculum system.

Research on the English Translation of Culture-Bound Terms in Yi Dialect Oral Literature from the Perspective of Four-life Maxim

The accurate translation of culture-bound terms is vital for ensuring the faithful representation of ethnic minority oral literature. Analyzing the English translation of these terms can significantly promote minority cultures, offer a comprehensive view of China to the world, and enhance the narrative of Chinese stories. China’s Eco-Translatology, rooted in Eastern ecological wisdom, provides a framework for translation in the new era, emphasizing Four-life Maxim. Guided by this theory, this paper examines the English translation of culture-bound terms in the Yi oral literature Meige, providing a reference for translating China’s minority literature.

Dreaming Fish, Becoming Fish: Animating Modern Mythology and Zhuangzian Philosophy in the Fantasy Film Big Fish & Begonia

Abstract This paper analyzes the 2016 Chinese animation film Big Fish & Begonia and its precursor, a 2004 Flash animated short video, in conjunction with Zhuangzi’s philosophy of becoming and transformation. It traces the origin of the film in the auteur’s dream experience and the development of cinematic language and animation technology from the initial short video to the full-feature film. Adopting a form closely associated with the fantastical and speculative traditions of Chinese mythology, Big Fish & Begonia represents animal becomings through the apparatus of the dream, as both crucial content and form, and the formal characteristics of animation. Both the dream and the animation forms allow the expression of desires to break through the ontological and epistemological constraints of the human subject and to render the physical form unstable. By engaging with key passages from Zhuangzi that discuss dreams, knowledge, “free and easy wandering,” and “becoming/transformation,” the paper asserts Zhuangzi’s continued influence in contemporary Chinese animation. The film offers new ways of conceptualizing and addressing modern environmental crises while aligning itself with the cultural–political agenda to create “authentic” Chinese stories.

Approaches to Communicate China Stories well in College English Teaching

At the 20th CPC National Congress, Xi Jinping proposed to build cultural confidence and strength, and secure new successes in developing socialist culture. As English is an international language, it is very important to tell the story of China and convey the voice of China. It is crucial to integrate communicate the China stories well into college English classroom teaching. It is worth thinking about how to solve the problems of students lack of cultural self-confidence and poor oral English ability, poor quality of teaching materials and some teachers lack of understanding of China culture. This paper will analyze the shortcomings and countermeasures of telling Chinese stories in English classroom teaching in colleges and universities, hoping to provide feasible reference for the current English classroom teaching reform in colleges and universities.

The Performance of The Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

This study adopts research methods such as literature review and interview to analyze the performance of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The study focuses on the Olympic concept, duration, national culture, AI use, optical application, stage design, fireworks performance, venue selection, and the relationship with technological development. give the result as follows1. Simplicity, beauty, modernity. Showcasing three themes, namely China's pursuit and longing for world peace, "Faster, Higher, Stronger, and more united", and "Together towards the future".2. The blessing of technology is more important than any previous Olympic opening ceremony performance. Human screen dance technology, holographic projection technology, AI technology empowerment, 3D lighting stage technology, double-sided screen technology, laser engraving technology, and irregular screen technology will be the main means of empowering the Olympic opening ceremony performance.3.The color scheme of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics is mainly cold, which blends harmoniously with the emphasis on ice and snow in the Winter Olympics.4.The development and utilization of ethnic elements in the opening ceremony performance of this Winter Olympics are reasonable and appropriate, mainly including Chinese paintings, Chinese totems, Chinese stories, Chinese proverbs, Chinese characters, Chinese clothing, etc.5.The selection of the performance venue for the opening ceremony at the National Stadium of China seems somewhat conservative.6.Reduced the fixed construction stage and replaced it with a variable and mobile stage. Technological stage. The use of LED screens makes the performance more diverse.7.The ignition ceremony highlights the ice and snow of the Winter Olympics, showcases the subtle fire in a low-key manner, highlights the theme, and also embodies the concept of low-carbon environmental protection8.The opening ceremony performance of this Winter Olympics focuses more on sports performances, downplaying artistic performances and highlighting sports characteristics. Performed by ordinary citizens, primary, secondary, and high school students, as well as young people from all over the world, emphasizing the need for everyone to come together.

Exploring Gender Disparity in Chinese Children’s Literature: The Impact of Authorship and Narrative Elements

ABSTRACT Gender representation in children’s books may influence young children’s formation of the gender-equity concept. Previous studies show a male protagonist overrepresentation in US children’s books. This study analyzed 956 Chinese children’s books to investigate if similar patterns of gender representation exist. Research Findings: Binomial logistic regression showed significant male overrepresentation as a function of three variables of interest (author gender, character type, and genre) and interactions of all variables in Chinese children’s books, suggesting the presence of cross-cultural male-character overrepresentation. Male protagonists are more prevalent in books written by male authors. Significant interaction terms also show that preschool-aged Chinese children are more exposed to male characters in fiction, while infants/toddlers encounter male overrepresentation in nonfiction and stories with non-human central characters. In original Chinese stories, male overrepresentation is found in fiction featuring non-human protagonists and in nonfiction featuring human protagonists. Practice or Policy: To reduce gender bias in children’s literature, authors can consciously increase the number of female characters when creating children’s literature. Young girls can be encouraged to work as media creators, for example, book writers, to contribute to the parity in gender representation in books.

Research on the Innovative Development of Heilongjiang's Music Tourism Industry in the Context of the Digital Era

To enhance the influence of Chinese civilization, it is essential to uphold cultural positions steadfastly. This approach enables us to effectively narrate and disseminate Chinese stories and voices, thereby promoting Chinese culture worldwide. Music culture, as a significant component of traditional culture, fosters national pride and cultural confidence when promoted and inherited. Especially in the context of the digital era, leveraging digital technology is crucial to facilitate the harmonious integration of the music and tourism industries. This integration promotes the continuous dissemination and development of the music tourism industry, creating a creative industry and premium entrepreneurial projects in music tourism. This research explores the innovative development paths of Heilongjiang's music tourism industry in the digital era, aiming to provide practical guidance for the innovative development of cultural and tourism industries in other regions of China.

Cross-cultural Communication Strategies of Forbidden City Cultural Documentaries on Overseas Social Media--Taking "I Repair Cultural Relics in the Forbidden City" on YouTube platform as an example

Telling a good Chinese story and enhancing the dissemination, cohesion, and influence of Chinese culture is an important direction to show China's cultural soft power, and an important issue to build a strong cultural country. Utilizing documentaries to creatively transform traditional Chinese culture and incorporate it into the dissemination of Chinese stories and Chinese discourse is conducive to the realization of "high-quality going out" of Chinese culture. This paper selects the documentary "I Repair Cultural Relics in the Forbidden City" released by CCTV on the overseas video platform YouTube as the research object and analyzes the cross-cultural communication strategy of this documentary on YouTube based on the SPEAKING theory under the method of communicative ethnography. It is found that the following points are usually more important to realize the success of Chinese culture "borrowing ship to go to the sea" using documentary communication: firstly, documentaries need to make use of overseas media platforms to carry out multimodal cross-interaction, turn abstract concepts of Chinese culture into visualization, and promote audiences' understanding and recognition of Chinese culture utilizing colorful expressions; secondly, to build a cultural network to promote the understanding and recognition of Chinese culture; and secondly, to build a cultural network to promote the understanding and recognition of Chinese culture using multimodal interaction. First, documentaries need to make use of overseas media platforms to engage in multimodal cross-interaction, turn abstract concepts of Chinese culture into figurative ones, and promote audiences' understanding of Chinese culture colorfully; second, they need to build a space of common cultural meanings, and use commonplace contents such as human fires to trigger the resonance of the overseas audience; and third, they need to merge the dialectical thinking of globalization and localization, and tell the story of China in international language. The in-depth study of documentaries on overseas video platforms in this paper is conducive to providing experience and reference for the production of future documentaries and has certain reference value for documentaries to better present a comprehensive and authentic Chinese culture to the world.

Research on Telling Chinese Stories in English in High School English Teaching

Against the background of globalization, cultural exchanges between different countries and regions have become increasingly frequent, and cultural diversity has become a major feature of today s society. Under such circumstances, education needs to pay more attention to cross-cultural communication and introduce multicultural elements in order to better meet the needs of globalization. The traditional training model can no longer meet the needs of the complex and changing society, and cross-cultural communication and multicultural learning experiences have become an important factor in shaping the future of education. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current research state, its significance and strategies of telling Chinese stories in English in high school English teaching. By analyzing the current situation of high school English teaching, this paper proposes the importance of integrating Chinese stories into high school English teaching, and elaborates on how to effectively implement this teaching method in teaching practice.

Rewriting Chinese Stories: Gender in Chinese Translation of Amy Tan

Rewriting Chinese Stories: Gender in Chinese Translation of Amy Tan

Subtitle Analysis of A Swing Maker under Multimodal Discourse Analysis

Nowadays, movies have gradually become one of the main ways of global cultural communication, and movie subtitle translation has also become an important factor for foreign audiences to better understand the content of the movie, therefore, the study of movie subtitle translation is urgent. With the increasingly deepening of China’s foreign exchanges, Chinese movies, as a carrier of Chinese culture, have gradually come into the international field of vision as an important way of spreading Chinese culture and promoting cultural exchanges. Therefore, the study of movie subtitle translation has become one of the main ways to better tell Chinese stories. Different from traditional translation, movie subtitle translation needs to take more factors into consideration, including movie images, speaker’s character traits, and the influence of movie layout, etc. Therefore, this paper uses multimodal discourse analysis to analyze the subtitles of A Swing Maker in order to analyze the influence of movie images, movie plots, and character traits on subtitle translation. A Swing Maker mainly tells the story of Chinese oilmen, through the subtitle translation analysis of the movie, it is more conducive to the dissemination of the spirit of Chinese oil story to other countries, telling the story of Chinese oil well, and contributing to the dissemination of the story of Chinese oil.

The English Translation of Chinese Political Discourse from a Materialistic Dialectics Perspective

China has witnessed two rounds of large-scale translation activity over the past 40 years of reform and opening-up since 1978. And the focus of the Chinese translation community now has been shifting from “translating the world” to “translating China” after China entered the new era in 2012. Therefore, it is imperative to quicken the pace in China’s “going global” by narrating Chinese stories to the wider world. As an integral part of its global communication, Chinese political discourse represents national attitudes, stances and values. In this regard, how to improve the quality and communication effect of its translation becomes a major problem for China’s translators and global communicators. This paper lends insights into the essential role of material dialectics in its English translation from five aspects, by selecting and analyzing some important official texts and remarks in recent years, so as to provide valuable inspiration for how to better the translation of the field.

Research on Strategies for Enhancing the Ability of Chinese German Learners to Tell Chinese Stories Through Short Videos

Research on Strategies for Enhancing the Ability of Chinese German Learners to Tell Chinese Stories Through Short Videos