Reconstructing Cultural Identity via Paratexts: A Case Study of the English Translation of The Great Ming Code

Han XIAO

Abstract


Negotiations of cultural identity take place not merely within cross-cultural communication endeavors, but also in the realm of translational acts. The recognition that the translation process encompasses both two linguistic systems and two distinct cultural traditions underscores the significance of translation as a pivotal tool for fostering cross-cultural understanding and communication. This study, drawing on paratexts theory, investigates how the translator has reconstructed aspects of Chinese legal culture in the English translation of The Great Ming Code. It further highlights the pivotal role of translation in fostering intercultural dialogue, with a specific emphasis on how the translation of Chinese legal classics facilitates the reshaping of Chinese national and cultural identity within the broader framework of globalization.

Keywords


Cultural Identity; Paratexts; Translation; Chinese Legal Culture; Intercultural Dialogue; Globalization

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/13670

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