Translation and intercultural communication in contemporary Chinese political discourse: Effectiveness and reception of the official English translation of Xi Jinping The Governance of China

Abstract

The rapid growth of diplomatic activities and international cooperation in contemporary China has taken the importance of effectiveness of translation to the outside world to a new level. Accuracy and effectiveness of translation delivery is critical in achieving clear intercultural communication. This study aims to explore the translation of Chinese official political discourse into the English language and culture in the Xi Jinping’s era for effectiveness of translation delivery. To that end, this study examines different linguistic and cultural characteristics from the perspectives of product- and participant-oriented translation. Moreover, this study also synthesizes the product- and participant-oriented effectiveness analyses to provide translators with a framework of effectiveness for their future translation activities.

In this study, effectiveness of translation is examined in a three-step process: Source text (ST)—Translation—Reception (Effectiveness). In this process, product- and participant-oriented analyses are applied to examine translated speeches, questionnaire survey results, and the interviews with target readers respectively from Chinese- and English-language backgrounds.

In the product-oriented analysis, translation theories, critical discourse analysis, and critical metaphor analysis are drawn on to carry out a textual analysis of Xi’s selected speeches, whereas in participant-oriented analysis, questionnaire surveys and interviews are carried out to understand translation reception from the target readers’ perspective.

This study has evaluated the effectiveness of Chinese official political discourse translation in Xi Jinping’s era from target readers’ point of view and summarized the key factors affecting the effectiveness of translation. Lastly, by proposing some evaluation criteria of translation effectiveness, this study provides a comprehensive practical guideline for future translators working on political discourse.