Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 13. Number2.  June 2022                                        Pp. 205 -213
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol13no2.14

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Chinese-to-English Translation of Political Discourse: A Feature-Oriented Analysis 

Sun Aina
Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
&
School of Foreign Languages,
Guangzhou Nanfang College, Republic of China

Ng Chwee Fang
Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
Corresponding Author: chweefang@upm.edu.my

Vijayaletchumy A/P Subramanlam
Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia 

Che Ann Binti Abdul Ghani
Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

 

Received: 2/23/2022                               Accepted: 4/4/2022                          Published: 6/24/2022

 

Abstract:
The translation of political discourse differs from the translation of texts in non-political contexts in which political discourse is highly profiled in terms of political sensitivity and policy orientation. It may potentially influence global peace and security. Understanding the features of translating China’s political discourse from Chinese to English is of great help to political translators and researchers in studying the problems and strategies of political translation for attaining the above expectation. It is expected to help the international community understand clearer and better the stance, response, and policies adopted by the government in national and international affairs. Therefore, the translation of China’s political discourse should deliver the intended information accurately and adequately the national characteristics of the source text and conduct flexible adjustments to conform to the language habits and ways of thinking of the target audience while mainlining the correct political position. This article aims to review and identify the essential characteristics of translating China’s political discourse from Chinese to English. It is apparent in understanding the desired political translation effect and some relevant translation problems. The bibliometric research method concludes that the Chinese-to-English translation of China’s political discourse has four distinctive features: accuracy, international-audience-centeredness, national characteristics, and political rightness. It is recommended that the translator pay great attention to these features while selecting translation strategies and methods and raise the acceptability of the translated text among the global recipients for promoting an authentic national image of the country.
Keywords: Chinese-to-English translation, feature, political discourse, target text, translation of political discourse

Cite as:  Aina, S., Fang, N. C. Subramanlam, V., & Abdul Ghani, C. A. (2022). Chinese-to-English Translation
of Political Discourse: A Feature-Oriented Analysis. Arab World English Journal, 13 (2) 205 -213
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol13no2.14

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Received: 2/23/2022
Accepted: 4/4/2022 
Published: 6/24/2022
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4316-676X
https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol13no2.14

Sun Aina is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Her research focuses on identifying and examining problems in translating China’s political discourse.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4316-676X

Dr. Ng Chwee Fang is an experienced senior lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Her specializations include Chinese linguistics, comparative linguistics, psycholinguistics and linguistic typology. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2413-265X

Prof. Dr. Vijayaletchumy A/P Subramaniam is an esteemed professor at the Department of Malay Language, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Her specializations include language learning and acquisition, psycholinguistics and translation. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2225-1313

Dr. Che Ann Binti Abdul Ghani has taught various courses at the Department of English Language, Universiti Putra Malaysia for 25 years; and has published numerous papers on writing and autism in local publications.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4992-4426