Translation Strategies Research Articles

Study on National Image Construction and International Communication in CHINA ON THE MOVE Amid Deconstructionism and Constructivism

National image documentary is a key part in shaping a country’s brand, fostering cultural exchange. However, China has faced challenges in presenting a dynamic and multidimensional national image on the global stage. In recent years, China has intensified its international communication efforts, leveraging various media formats to portray a more comprehensive image. The paper critically analyzes the contradictions inherent in the construction of national image and its overseas translation and communication, focusing on the biases of logocentrism and egocentrism. Taking China on the Move as a case study and examining its production, characterization, narrative, and translation strategies to summarize patterns and practices from a series of high-quality Sino-foreign co-produced documentaries. The analysis explores how the deconstructionist strategy of decentralization contributes to the joint-shaping of national image, and how an emphasis on marginalization reflects broader societal structures through the lens of ordinary lives. The deconstructionist translation strategy underscores the translator’s active role and the importance of “creative rebellion”. Conversely, the constructivist strategy elucidates the underlying logic of China’s image for international audiences, promoting empathetic communication by seeking common ground while acknowledging differences. The constructivist translation strategy also imposes necessary limitations on “creative rebellion” to ensure coherence in the translation process.

CULTURE-SPECIFIC ITEMS AND TRANSLATION STRATEGIES IN TIM O’BRIEN’S THE THINGS THEY CARRIED AND ITS INDONESIAN TRANSLATION

As one of the most complicated concepts to translate, a number of translators and researchers have presented various strategies to transfer the meaning of culture-specific items (CSIs) from one language to another. Through eight translation strategies used by professional translators based on Baker, this paper aimed to find the most applicable strategy to find a way around culture-specific items. In addition, this paper also attempted to categorize CSIs found in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried according to Newmark’s five taxonomies of foreign cultural words. The comparative model in translation studies and comparative research were applied as methods to obtain and analyze data from both the source text and target text. The results showed that out of five taxonomies, social culture has the highest percentage overall with 45%. Furthermore, translation by paraphrase using unrelated words also has the highest percentage among the eight translation strategies with 31%. Therefore, it can be concluded that translation by paraphrase using unrelated words is the most applicable strategy to translate CSIs found in The Things They Carried.

Analyzing And Assessing the Translation of Quranic Terms based on the Tridimensional Exegetic Analysis Model, salah as a Case Study

The study investigates the hypothesis that there are certain conceptual gaps between the source and target concepts and proposes a translation strategy to avoid that distortion of the intended meanings. It starts from the premise that producing a high-quality translation of Quranic concepts could be attained if the distinctive features of source and target concepts are delimited based on an onomasiological terminological approach and a tri-dimensional textual approach. The objective is to assess an equivalent of a Qur’anic term based on its conceptual match or mismatch with the source concept and to propose improved versions that meet the needs of readers of Quranic translations irrespective of their cultural backgrounds. Thus, after attaining the conceptual delimitation of the Quranic concept of salah, an analysis is conducted to check whether its features are well conveyed in the equivalent “prayer”. Salah is delimited in the Quran (intratextuality), Sunnah (intertextuality), and the historical sociocultural contexts (contextuality).

Ideologies Underlying Chinese-English News Translation Strategies: A Critical Discourse Analysis of An Example from China Daily

With the aim of revealing the interplay between ideologies and translation strategies in the English translation process of Chinese political discourses, this research delves into the critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the English translation of the 2024 New Year Message by Chinese President Xi in China Daily. By examining the translation strategies like domestication, foreignization, addition, literal translation, and free translation, the study uncovers that these translation strategies are adopted in order to portray China as a nation developing with promising prospects. The primary research findings reveal how these strategies align with key ideologies including modernization and progress, stability and long-term planning, China’s global role and commitment to cooperation, cultural heritage and national pride, and people-centered development. Through the critical analysis of how these strategies reflect and reinforce these ideological narratives in shaping the international perceptions of the status quo and future direction of China’s growth, this research provides insights into the complex relations between translation choices and ideologies.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: A Translation Analysis of Culture Load Words Through the Perspective of Post-Colonialism

Post-colonial translation theory examines translation research from a brand new view. It begins to take into account the factors outside of the text that affect translation. Said’s view reveals the political character of post-colonial translation. Homi K. Bhabha‘s third space theory has attracted wide attention due to its great view and inclusive spirit. The film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a representative success of Chinese films in the international film field. The success of the film comes from both the rich Chinese culture and the naturalized translation strategy. Through case analysis, this article finds that in the process of subtitle translation of the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the meaning of some cultural loaded words cannot be completely and comprehensively transformed. This is related to the characteristics of subtitle translation and also to the cultural habits of the target groups of the film. The article proposes that such a translation strategy is conducive to Chinese films to find a place in the market, but we can also find a balance between retaining the culture and seizing the market.

Exploring the Barrier between Language and Culture from the Perspective of Postmodernist Aesthetics - Taking the Translation of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Huang Jinyan and the Translation by Fan Ye as an Example

Focusing on the translations of Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude by Huang Jinyan and Fan Ye, this paper explores how language shapes and reflects cultural differences, thus influencing cross-cultural communication from a postmodernist aesthetic perspective. The opening chapter briefly describes the relevance of postmodern aesthetics to translation studies, with a special focus on the strategies of naturalization and alienation in magical realist translations and their role in conveying cultural connotations. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of the two translations reveals the differences in the translators’ strategies in dealing with the complex symbols and cultural elements of the original work: Fan’s translation tends to alienate, retaining the exotic and magical qualities and preserving the uniqueness of Latin American culture, but it may increase the barriers to comprehension for Chinese readers; Huang’s translation is inclined towards naturalization, which is closer to local reading habits and enhances the readability of the text, but it may diminish the cultural shock and depth of the original text. The core of the article emphasizes that translation is a dual process of cultural selection and re-creation. It requires the translator to strike a balance between preserving the original style and transmitting the cultural essence within the framework of postmodern aesthetics. The article further discusses the crucial role of this balance in enhancing cross-cultural communication and expanding horizons. It also proposes guidelines for future translation practice and research, advocating for a harmonious and symbiotic translation strategy that respects the original work while adapting to the target culture, particularly in the translation of cross-cultural literature.

The Role of Sentiment Analysis in Machine Translation- A Review on the Example of ChatGPT

In today’s globalization, machine translation technology has become an indispensable bridge for cross-lingual communication. The integration of sentiment analysis makes machine translation not only able to convey information, but also able to accurately express and understand the emotional color of the original text, which is of great significance in the fields of cross-cultural communication, customer service, and social media interaction. This study overviews the development of machine translation technology, from early rule-based models to modern statistical models to Transformer-based neural network models, with a special focus on the integrated application of ChatGPT in sentiment analysis and machine translation. First, this study introduces the background and research significance of machine translation, and discusses the role of sentiment analysis in improving translation quality and user satisfaction. Subsequently, the historical development of machine translation technology is reviewed in detail, and the basic concepts and methodologies of sentiment analysis and its applications in different fields are elaborated. On this basis, this study analyzes in depth the technical architecture, language model and interaction capability of ChatGPT, as well as its specific application and performance in sentiment analysis. Further, this study explores the importance of sentiment analysis in machine translation, including sentiment recognition, translation strategies for sentiment expression, and the impact of sentiment analysis on improving translation quality and cultural adaptability. Meanwhile, the advantages and limitations of ChatGPT in sentiment analysis are assessed, and future research directions are proposed, including technology convergence, construction of datasets and evaluation criteria, and ethical and bias issues. Finally, this study summarizes the practical application value of sentiment analysis in machine translation and looks forward to the potential areas of future research, aiming to provide reference and inspiration for the further development of machine translation and sentiment analysis.

A Study on the Translation of Instructions for Heat-Clearing and Detoxifying Traditional Chinese Medicines under the Functional Equivalence Theory

Heat-clearing and detoxifying traditional Chinese medicines are an important part and distinctive advantage of China’s medical and health undertakings. Traditional Chinese medicine is an outstanding traditional culture of the Chinese nation and a unique and significant health resource in our country. The rapidly growing international market has created excellent opportunities for the export of heat-clearing and detoxifying traditional Chinese medicines. Currently, the English translation of instructions for proprietary Chinese medicines lacks unified translation standards and the guidance of translation theories. The existing English translations of instructions for proprietary Chinese medicines in our country have problems such as confusion and non-standardization. Therefore, the research on the instructions of heat-clearing and detoxifying medicines under the functional equivalence theory is highly significant. This paper takes several common heat-clearing and detoxifying medicines available on the market as examples, analyzes the problems and their causes in the translation of the instructions from the perspective of the functional equivalence theory, and finds more reasonable and standardized translation methods. It helps foreign consumers understand the characteristics and functions of traditional Chinese medicine, thereby stimulating their consumption desires. This paper studies the translation process using the functional equivalence theory, investigates the structure and language features of the instructions for traditional Chinese medicine, and discusses the corresponding translation strategies for the instructions of heat-clearing and detoxifying traditional Chinese medicines at the lexical and syntactic levels respectively to achieve functional equivalence.

The Translation Quality Assessment of Google Translate’s Toward A More Critical Approach To Bio-events

There are few Chinese translation resources in paleontology, and literature reading relies heavily on machine translation, yet the translation quality cannot be guaranteed. Taking Towards a More Critical Approach toward Bio-events as a sample, this study aims to discuss the effectiveness of Google Translate in English-to-Chinese translation of paleontology literature. By comparing the translated text by Google Translate with that in Selected Papers of Theoretical Paleontology, the study assesses the translation from the perspectives of accuracy in word, sentence usage, meaning expression, logical accuracy, and readability. The assessment results show that the English-to-Chinese translation by Google Translate can accurately translate the deductive reasoning logic of the original text, and its coherence is basically consistent with the original text. However, there are paucity such as inaccurate word usage and deviations in sentence structure, leading to poor readability in some passages. This study provides insights into the use of machine translation strategies for paleontology researchers.

Study on the Translation of Culture-loaded Words from the Perspective of Domestication and Foreignization Theory: A Case Study of Kong Yiji

Culture-loaded words are also called culture-specific words. The translation of them is the difficult point of novel translation. Lu Xun's novel Kong Yiji contains a large number of culture-loaded words. Therefore, translators must adopt different translation strategies from the perspectives of content and context. Based on Lawrence Venuti's theory of "Domestication and Foreignization", this paper analyzes the culture-loaded words in Kong Yiji in order to resolve the obstacles in cross-cultural communication.

Spleen-Targeted mRNA Vaccine Doped with Manganese Adjuvant for Robust Anticancer Immunity In Vivo.

The successful application of mRNA vaccines in preventing and treating infectious diseases highlights their potential as therapeutic vaccines for cancer treatment. However, unlike infectious diseases, effective antitumor therapy, particularly for solid tumors, necessitates the activation of more powerful cellular and humoral immunity to achieve clinical efficacy. Here, we report a spleen-targeted mRNA vaccine (Mn@mRNA-LNP) designed to deliver tumor antigen-encoding mRNA and manganese adjuvant (Mn2+) simultaneously to dendritic cells (DCs) in the spleen. This delivery system promotes DC maturation and surface antigen presentation and stimulates the production of cytotoxic T cells. Additionally, Mn2+ codelivered in the system serves as a safe and effective immune adjuvant, activating the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway and promoting the secretion of type I interferon, further enhancing the antigen-specific T cell responses. Mn@mRNA-LNP effectively inhibits tumor progression in established melanoma and colon tumor models as well as in a model of tumor recurrence after resection. Notably, the combination of Mn@mRNA-LNP with immune checkpoint inhibitors further enhances complete tumor suppression and prolonged the overall survival in mice. Overall, this "All-in-One" mRNA vaccine significantly boosts antitumor immunity responses by improving spleen targeting and immune activation, providing an attractive strategy for the future clinical translation of therapeutic mRNA vaccines.

A preliminary exploration of feminist translation strategies

Abstract Interventionist feminist translation theory prompts translators to identify and rectify sexist notions in source texts. It encourages critical awareness and reinterprets texts through a feminist lens. Based on interventionist feminist translation theory, this research investigates how depictions of women’s physical charm, often unnecessary and rooted in stereotypes, are handled in translations. Focusing on seven instances from Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Trilogy — a notable Chinese science fiction work debated for its sexism —, the study contrasts the source text with its English and Spanish translations. By analysing the selected fragments of the Chinese novel and the unmissable alterations to the original in the target texts, this paper demonstrates how the techniques of elision and adaptation can help translators iron out the sexist implications. The findings contribute to our understanding of feminist translation strategies for addressing sexist elements in literary works.

Efficient, High-Quality Engineering of Therapeutic Extracellular Vesicles on an Integrated Nanoplatform.

Engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as important therapeutics for gene and cell therapy. To achieve clinically desired therapy, technologies for EV engineering have high demands on the efficacy in producing EVs and their qualities, which, however, remain challenging to conventional routes due to their limited control on therapeutic payload delivery, EV secretion, and extracellular microenvironments. Here, we report a nanoplatform (denoted as PURE) that enables efficient electro-transfection while stimulating cells to produce high-quality EVs carrying functional RNAs. PURE further employs an ammonium removal zone to maintain the physiological conditions of the extracellular microenvironment and an EV uptake zone that efficiently (87.1%) captures EVs in situ with porous hydrogels. The platform achieved about a 12-fold higher yield of engineered EVs and a 146-fold abundance of desired therapeutics compared to those naturally secreted from cells. The PURE-engineered miR-130a-EVs were validated for effectively upregulating the mTOR signaling pathway in both in vitro and in vivo. Their therapeutic capability was then verified by enhancing the in vitro activation of primordial follicles. In vivo applications further highlighted the therapeutic effects of miR-130a-EVs in restoring ovary function in aged mice. The PURE platform represents a strategy for the clinical translation of EV-mediated therapy.

From text to allegory: ideological turns in Shamel Abatha’s translation of Animal Farm in the socio-political context of Egypt’s Pre-Arab Spring

ABSTRACT The influence of ideology on the process of translation has been one of the most controversial debates among scholars and translators who may undergo multiple challenges due to certain ideological demands, whether they be political, cultural or religious. In the Arab world, the socio-political scene has been dominated by ideological shifts since the outbreak of the Arab Spring. These shifts have influenced Arab scholars and translators in many possible ways, one of which is the reproduction of incisive narratives that not only account for the causes and effects of revolutions that swept different regions in the Arab world but also provoke political reform. In this vein, this article investigates Shamel Abatha’s translation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm (1945) to Arabic. It specifically explores Abatha’s political orientations which result in daring textual manipulations of Orwell’s text before the Arab Spring in Egypt in 2011. Following Mona Baker’s narrative theory, the article demonstrates how Abatha’s target text turns into a socio-political national allegory that embodies critical ideological implications. The corpus consists of selected comparisons between Orwell’s Animal Farm and Abatha’s مزرعة الحيوانات [mazraat alḥywānāt] (2009) to show how translation strategies expound the impact of the latter’s political environment on his translation.

A Study of Fang Huawen’s Chinese Version of Rebecca from the Perspective of Skopos Theory

This paper analyzes Fang Huawen’s Chinese version of Rebecca from the perspective of Skopos Theory. By obtaining the different descriptions in the novel, such as linguistic description, mental description, and environmental description, the essay focuses on discovering how the translator uses Skopos Theory during his translation. Through the analysis, the thesis finds out that Fang’s version combines the features of the original texts and the expression habit in Chinese, which fully demonstrates the original texts. The language of Fang’s version is brief and clear, and the content is coherent, meanwhile, this translation showcases the message from the original text to a great extent. Through studying Fang’s version, the thesis analyzes the translation strategies comprehensively by using the principle of fidelity, conference and skopos. Based on the above three principles, translators can adopt a variety of translation strategies, including domestication, foreignization, addition and subtraction, to translate high-quality translations to meet the needs of readers and disseminate the culture of other countries.

Chinese-English Translation Strategies for Metaphors Based on Domestication and Foreignization

As an essential rhetorical device in language expression, metaphor deeply reflects the cultural background and social cognition. Metaphor translation needs to convey the meaning of language as well as the cultural connotations behind the metaphor. This study found that when the metaphorical images contain the same symbolic meaning in Chinese and English cultures, applying foreignization to reproduce the original metaphorical images can maintain the uniqueness and writing style of the source text and avoid the loss of cultural connotations in the translation process. Instead, in the case of different metaphorical images, using domestication to replace or omit the original symbolic images in the target language can improve the readability and acceptance of the translation. However, no studies explore applying metaphor translation strategies based on comparing the similarities and differences of metaphors in different languages and cultures, causing subjectivity in selecting metaphor translation strategies. This study compares the symbolic meanings of metaphors in Chinese and English cultures and provides a reliable and objective basis for selecting domestication and foreignization for metaphor translation, which help to achieve more effective faithfulness and cultural transmission. This analysis provides practical references for translation strategies of metaphors and promotes the depth of cross-cultural communication.

Exploring linguistic and cultural barriers in literary translation: an analysis of undergraduate students' strategies and challenges in translating Albanian texts into English

Purpose: Investigate the challenges undergraduate students face when translating Albanian literary texts into English, focusing on the cultural and linguistic considerations that impact the translation process and the concept of translation loss. Methodology: Qualitative analysis of the translation methods used by non-English-speaking students, examining the types of cultural loss, challenges, and solutions encountered. Data were collected by studying translated excerpts from the Albanian literary work "Prilli i Thyer" (Broken April), with attention to the strategies employed by students to address translation challenges. Findings: Students predominantly used literal translation, resulting in implicit, modified, and complete cultural losses. Key challenges included translating Albanian cultural words, idiomatic expressions, and grammatical differences. Despite these challenges, students demonstrated proficiency and versatility in literary translation, employing strategies such as adaptation, direct translation, borrowing, and omission. Implications: The findings highlight the need for enhanced cultural competence and linguistic skills in translation education. Recommendations include using Albanian-Albanian dictionaries and a deeper engagement with Albanian culture to improve translation accuracy and reduce cultural loss. Recommendations: Students should be encouraged to develop a comprehensive understanding of the source culture and to utilize creative translation solutions. Peer collaboration and feedback are also recommended to refine translation skills and strategies. Conclusion: This research contributes to the field of translation studies by shedding light on the intricacies of translating Albanian literature into English. It underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity and linguistic proficiency in producing accurate and culturally resonant translations, ultimately fostering a more interconnected and diverse literary world

Translation Methods of Vernacular Literature Works

Translation is a cultural exchange, not just a linguistic transformation. Foreign translation of vernacular literature works is also an important way to promote the Chinese folk culture. However,the cultural omission hinders foreign readers from gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese vernacular culture.Therefore, this thesis selects the English translation of Turbulence as the object of study, aiming to explore the translation strategies of vernacular language such as the names of people, and the names of Shaanxi snacks present in the work. For the purpose, the translator carefully collates the names of people and special snacks in Shaanxi that appear in the work. Besides, the author will combine the above examples to make an in-depth analysis of the translation when writing the paper. The following conclusions have been drawn: Firstly, when the author of the original wants to highlight the uniqueness of Chinese folk culture, she should use domesticating translation, because this kind of translation strategy can retain the characteristic content of the original. In addition, if the author wants foreign readers to understand the local snacks, the translator should use the direct translation. The direct translation method can give the Western readers a basic understanding of the main ingredients used in the special snacks.

A Study of Chinese Translation of The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language from the Perspective of Grammatical Metaphor

In Systemic Functional Linguistics, grammatical metaphor is categorized into ideational and interpersonal types. Translation, as a process of code-switching, involves choosing between congruent and metaphorical forms, each serving different communicative purposes. Distinguishing these forms clarifies their distinct functions. This paper explores the use and importance of grammatical metaphors in translating The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language based on the author’s independent translation practice. Given this, the study achieves three objectives through quantitative and qualitative analysis: (1) examining the distribution of grammatical metaphors in the translation of The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language; (2) exploring the reasons behind their emergence; and (3) analyzing the role these metaphors play in the translation. Translation strategies were classified into two types based on the retention of grammatical metaphors: congruent translation, which simplifies the text and reduces metaphors, and metaphorical translation, which sustains a formal, academic, and concise style. The study reveals that the same translation techniques can be applied across various word, sentence, and text types, with different contexts requiring different methods even for identical grammatical and semantic units. Regardless of whether metaphors are retained, it is essential to ensure faithfulness, fluency, and aesthetics of the translation. Translators should avoid rigid application and decide on metaphor preservation based on the specific context and text type to best convey the original meaning.

Implicit Cultural Information Transmission and English Translation Strategies

Implicit cultural information plays a crucial role in the translation process, as it is often conveyed through cultural symbols, metaphors, and social contexts that do not directly appear on the surface of the text, posing challenges in translation. This paper starts with the definition and characteristics of implicit cultural information, analyzing its manifestations in translation and its relation to cultural differences and linguistic structures, focusing on the translation challenges posed by cultural symbols and metaphors. By studying domestication, foreignization, contextual reconstruction, and flexible adaptation strategies, this paper proposes translation strategies that adapt to different cultures and contexts to ensure the effective transmission of implicit cultural information, thereby enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of cross-cultural communication. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis and methodological guidance for translation practice, optimize the handling of implicit cultural information in English translation, and promote the in-depth dissemination of cultural connotations.