-
Research Article
Translating China’s European Union Policy Papers: An Examination of Evolving Strategies, Purposes, and Power Dynamics (2003-2018)
Zhen Lyu*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
1-10
Received:
18 December 2024
Accepted:
30 December 2024
Published:
17 January 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.11
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: As China ascends to global prominence, there is an increasing demand for academic analysis of how it translates its political discourse for international audiences, aiming to ensure its policies and perspectives are understood globally. Within this broad context, exploring the translation strategies China employs in its interactions with foreign entities, particularly the European Union (EU), provides a fascinating perspective on how China leverages translation as a mechanism of soft power to enhance its diplomatic communications. The EU, with its considerable economic and political clout, stands as a pivotal partner for China, making their bilateral interactions an essential field of study. Over the last two decades, the relationship between China and the EU has fluctuated across economic, diplomatic, and other dimensions. This dynamic provides a compelling case for dissecting how China has adapted its translation strategies and purposes in communication with the EU. Recent studies on Chinese political discourse (CPD) translation have explored the interplay of discursive features, ideology, and purposes. Studies within Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) frameworks often emphasize ideology as manifested in specific discursive features, while neglecting critical dimensions such as power dynamics, discourse types, and situational contexts. Studies on CPD translation purposes and strategies lack longitudinal analyses and have predominantly centered on China’s domestic affairs, overlooking China’s policy papers addressing foreign countries. This study analyzes the evolution of translation strategies and purposes in China’s EU policy papers, namely those from 2003, 2014, and 2018. Using Fairclough’s CDA, it examines both the Chinese and English versions, considering the impact of shifting power dynamics, situational contexts, and discourse types. The analysis reveals that the 2014 paper utilized strategies of ideological filtering, priority balancing, and consensus negotiation, while the 2003 and 2018 papers employed literal strategies. This longitudinal study indicates that the translation purpose has shifted from facilitating negotiations to projecting self-representation. This transformation reflects the increasing economic interdependence between China and the EU, which has enhanced China’s political influence within the EU and altered the power balance in its favor, leading to a more confident articulation of its views on Sino-EU relations.
Abstract: As China ascends to global prominence, there is an increasing demand for academic analysis of how it translates its political discourse for international audiences, aiming to ensure its policies and perspectives are understood globally. Within this broad context, exploring the translation strategies China employs in its interactions with foreign en...
Show More
-
Research Article
Analysis of Studies on Interpreter’s Role on International Journals by Citespace (2000-2022)
Hairuo Wang*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
11-25
Received:
7 December 2024
Accepted:
30 December 2024
Published:
23 January 2025
Abstract: Interpreters play important roles in international communication, and the international research on interpreter’s role has a history of over 50 years. This study use Citespace tool to analyse the data of Web of Science from 2000 to 2022 in order to understand the status quo and trend of research. It is found that such research saw a general trend of increase in fluctuation and there seems to be lack of cooperative research with much room for future cooperation between different research institutions. Current research can be categorized into conference interpreting, medical interpreting, court interpreting, prison interpreting, community interpreting, sign language interpreting, telephone interpreting, etc. It can also be classified into professional and non-professional interpreting, self-perspective and others ’ perspective, interpreting practice, interpreting quality, interpreting history, professional and inter professional education, etc. Future research could further the traditional domains and integrate the research with other domains of interpreting studies and that of other sectors. It could be further combined with sociological theories, adopt more diversified research methods, take a broader view in terms of interpreter’s working environment, and combine more closely with technology.
Abstract: Interpreters play important roles in international communication, and the international research on interpreter’s role has a history of over 50 years. This study use Citespace tool to analyse the data of Web of Science from 2000 to 2022 in order to understand the status quo and trend of research. It is found that such research saw a general trend o...
Show More
-
Research Article
Influencing Voters Behaviour: Language and Ideology of Selected Nigerian Political Campaign Speeches
Jennifer Osayi Agho*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
26-34
Received:
3 February 2025
Accepted:
13 February 2025
Published:
26 February 2025
Abstract: This study investigates the language and ideology of selected Nigerian political campaign speeches. It analyses the political campaign speeches of Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Bola Tinubu during the 2023 Nigerian presidential election to reveal how language functions as a tool for persuasion and reflects sociopolitical dynamics in Nigeria. Using Fairclough’s discourse analysis framework, this research investigates the linguistic patterns, rhetorical strategies, and grammatical structures used by the candidates to communicate their ideologies, influence voters, and construct leadership identities. Findings reveal distinct patterns in the candidates’ speech strategies. Peter Obi’s rhetoric emphasised systemic reform, transparency, and collective progress, engaging voters reflectively with rhetorical questions and conditionals. Atiku Abubakar critiqued systemic failures, using nominalizations and declaratives to position his leadership as solution-oriented, appealing to voters seeking economic rejuvenation. Bola Tinubu employed imperatives and parallelism to command loyalty, inspire optimism, and project himself as a pragmatic leader. All the candidates used linguistic structures that functioned as persuasive tools, framing them as credible, relatable, and solution-driven leaders. The study demonstrates the interplay between language and political ideology, reaffirming the relevance of CDA in analysing political communication. It highlights the influence of rhetorical strategies on voters’ behaviour and underscores the importance of discourse analysis for understanding power relations in political contexts.
Abstract: This study investigates the language and ideology of selected Nigerian political campaign speeches. It analyses the political campaign speeches of Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Bola Tinubu during the 2023 Nigerian presidential election to reveal how language functions as a tool for persuasion and reflects sociopolitical dynamics in Nigeria. Using ...
Show More
-
Research Article
Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework
Ting Shi*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
35-44
Received:
4 January 2025
Accepted:
26 January 2025
Published:
28 February 2025
Abstract: Metaphorical reference studies and literal reference studies are “two sides in one” of eco-translatology, while in fact the former one takes overwhelming dominance. As eco-translatology enters its third decade, it’s the turn for literal reference studies to serve as a necessary supplement to the long-lasting dominant metaphorical reference studies in eco-translatology. In the dialogue between Chinese and American poetry in the 20th century, American poets translated a splendid array of landscape poetry by Chinese recluse poets, among which Wang Wei was the most popular. In terms of its ecology-related content and translation influence, the translation and introduction of Wang Wei’s landscape poetry in America makes a translation representation so as to be an ideal research object of literal reference studies. By adopting the “three-life phases” framework—translation ecology, translator’s survival, and textual life-this research provides a systematic analysis of how Wang Wei’s ecological worldview, rooted in traditional Chinese harmony between humans and nature, is transplanted into Western cultural contexts. Seven significant English translations were selected based on their representation of Wang Wei’s ecological philosophy and their influence on American poetic movements. Using a qualitative analytical approach, the study examines the socio-cultural context of translation, the ecological literacy of translators, and strategies used to adapt Wang Wei’s poetic imagery and philosophy for English readers. It is a relatively novel attempt to combine the literal sense with a specific translation event, facilitating to substantiate literal reference studies in eco-translatology and enrich the academic mode for foreign publicity of Chinese ecological culture.
Abstract: Metaphorical reference studies and literal reference studies are “two sides in one” of eco-translatology, while in fact the former one takes overwhelming dominance. As eco-translatology enters its third decade, it’s the turn for literal reference studies to serve as a necessary supplement to the long-lasting dominant metaphorical reference studies ...
Show More
-
Research Article
Multimodal Collaboration and Meaning Reconstruction in the English Translation of Cantonese Opera: A Case Study of The Flower Princess
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
45-52
Received:
13 November 2024
Accepted:
5 March 2025
Published:
18 March 2025
Abstract: Cantonese opera, a comprehensive art integrating literature, music, performance, and makeup, is a significant part of Chinese traditional culture. However, given its rich multimodal characteristics, translating Cantonese opera poses unique challenges. This paper, grounded in multimodal discourse analysis theory, delves into the last act of the Cantonese opera The Flower Princess (Fragrant Sacrifice) to explore multimodal collaboration and meaning reconstruction in its English translation. Employing case analysis as the main research method, the study demonstrates the complementary and collaborative relations of multimodal factors in the English translation from four dimensions: culture, context, content, and expression. At the cultural level, it shows how to convey Chinese cultural values such as “loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness”. In the contextual aspect, it explains how to reconstruct the historical context of the Ming-Qing transition era presented in the opera. Regarding content, it elaborates on accurately narrating the love story and historical background, and in terms of expression, it focuses on reproducing the tense atmosphere and emotional tone of the original. The research also points out potential problems in the translation process. For example, visual cultural elements like the detailed descriptions of palace settings and the cultural implications of actors' costumes are often lost in translation, and the speech intonation and rhythm unique to Cantonese opera are difficult to replicate in English. Therefore, it emphasizes the necessity of comprehensively considering the multimodal characteristics of the script in translation practice. By selecting targeted English translation strategies and methods, such as adding cultural annotations for visual elements and carefully choosing words to approximate the original rhythm, it is possible to more accurately convey the deep-seated cultural and artistic values of Cantonese opera. This research is expected to contribute to the inheritance and development of Cantonese opera culture on the international stage, promoting cross-cultural communication and understanding of this traditional Chinese art form.
Abstract: Cantonese opera, a comprehensive art integrating literature, music, performance, and makeup, is a significant part of Chinese traditional culture. However, given its rich multimodal characteristics, translating Cantonese opera poses unique challenges. This paper, grounded in multimodal discourse analysis theory, delves into the last act of the Cant...
Show More
