Exchange of Cultural Ideas in Translation and Communication: Exploring Cross-Cultural Understanding and Challenges from the Perspective of Linguistics

Abstract

Our study investigated the exchange of cultural ideas between Chinese and other cultures through the lens of translation. We employed a two-pronged approach: comparative corpus analysis and case study analysis. The corpus analysis involved parallel texts (Chinese source texts and their translations into English, Russian, and Spanish) across various cultural domains (literature, news media, legal documents). We analysed these corpora to identify patterns in how linguistic choices are made to convey cultural information across languages. The comparative analysis of parallel corpora, consisting of Chinese texts and their translations into various languages (English, Russian, Spanish), revealed variations in how linguistic choices are made to convey cultural information across domains (literature, news media, legal documents). The case study analysis provided deeper insights into the complexities of translator decision-making. A key theme that emerged was the challenge of balancing accuracy with readability for the target audience. The sentiment analysis showed a positive tone in Chinese literary source texts, while their English translations adopted a more neutral approach. Overall, this study highlights the intricate relationship between language, translation, and cultural understanding.