Theory and Practice of Museum Translation: Translating and Translated Chinese Heritage in Xi’an
Date
2023-12
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Abstract
This thesis presents the outcomes of a pioneering study of translation activities in mainland China, specifically exploring the interplay between cultural translation, power dynamics, and the formation of English-language heritage discourse in Chinese museums. The focus is on understanding how English-language heritage discourse is constructed, with an emphasis on intercultural translation and the roles of intercultural translators. A comprehensive literature review underscores the limitations in the field of museum translation, highlighting the insufficient consideration of diverse factors and stakeholders shaping translation processes in museums. To address this gap, I establish a robust theoretical foundation that integrates Western and Chinese perspectives, facilitating the exploration of museum translation across cultures and addressing crucial questions about the feasibility, indispensability, and incommensurability of intercultural translation in Chinese heritage museums. The investigation centres on cultural outreach policies influencing translation practices within Chinese heritage museums. These policies advocate a Sino-centric approach, resisting the assimilation of Chinese culture into English-language discourse. Translator subjectivity and the new Chinese heritage discourse contribute to ‘telling Chinese stories’ in languages other than Chinese. Empirical evidence from field research in Xi’an, China, includes in-depth interviews, photographic documentation, and analysis of exhibits, shedding light on intended messages and translation strategies. The study reveals deliberate efforts to present distinct aspects of Chinese culture to international visitors, while safeguarding narratives from undue assimilation into Western discourse. The study identifies various influencing factors on English-language discourse within Chinese heritage museums, such as the intentions of cultural outreach policymakers, museum administration, translator efforts, and international visitor engagement. The final chapter revisits museum Sino-centric translation, aligning it with thick translation and exploring periperformative factors affecting intercultural communication between translators and museum visitors. In summary, this thesis explores how intercultural translation shapes English-language heritage discourse in Chinese museums, offering a detailed understanding of the relationship between translation processes, cultural policies, and diverse stakeholders. This research advances the comprehension of the dynamic nature of English-language discourse in the context of Chinese heritage museums.
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museum translation
Citation
Li, Q. (2023). Theory and practice of museum translation: translating and translated Chinese heritage in Xi’an (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.