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Power dynamics in the translation of sexually explicit language in China

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Xueman Cao

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Abstract

Based on a thorough analysis of policies regulating the publishing industry and interviews with translators and editors, this paper attempts to uncover the power dynamics among social actors who engage in and shape the translation of sexually explicit language in mainland China. It starts with an in-depth analysis of the workings of the mainland Chinese publishing industry, and centres on the representation of various sociopolitical actors in the translation of sex. It uses interviews with translators to uncover how their ideology influences the translation of sex and the extent to which the translators exercise their agency to negotiate with editors and/or publishing houses. It then analyses the interviews with editors, whilst also drawing on policy regulations, to shed light on how publishing houses shape the translation of sexually explicit language under the overshadowing pressure of state censorship and censure. The interviews with translators are compared against those with editors to reveal the differences between how the translators perceive their own roles and how their roles are perceived by the editors. All in all, this paper hopes to uncover how different sociopolitical actors shape the translation of sexually explicit language under the interplay of power, ideology and different forms of censorship.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Cao X

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: The Translator

Year: 2022

Volume: 28

Issue: 3

Pages: 327-343

Online publication date: 06/04/2021

Acceptance date: 09/03/2021

ISSN (print): 1355-6509

ISSN (electronic): 1757-0409

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/13556509.2021.1902059

DOI: 10.1080/13556509.2021.1902059

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