Translating, Interpreting, and Decolonizing Chinese Fairy Tales - A Case Study and Ideological Approach

Through meticulous textual and contextual analysis of the sixteenth-century Chinese tale The Seven Brothers and its fifteen contemporary variants, Juwen Zhang unveils the ways in which the translation and illustration of folk and fairy tales can perpetuate racist stereotypes. By critically examining the conscious and unconscious ideological biases harbored by translators, adapters, and illustrators, the author calls for a paradigm shift in translation practices grounded in decolonization and anti-racism to ensure respectful and inclusive representation of diverse cultures. Translating, Interpreting, and Decolonizing Chinese Fairy Tales not only offers insights for translators, researchers, and educators seeking to leverage folktales and picture books for effective children's education and entertainment, but also challenges our preconceived notions of translated and adapted folk and fairy tales.

List of contents

Part I: A Tale Over Five Centuries

Chapter One: The Seven Brothers (Qi Xiongdi) from the sixteenth Century

Chapter Two: Fifteen Variants in Contemporary China

Chapter Three: Two English Translations

Part II: A Case Study of The Five Chinese Brothers

Chapter Four: The Tale in Chinese Context

Chapter Five: From "Queer Brothers" to "Chinese Brothers"
Chapter Six: The Five Chinese Brothers and Beyond

Part III: A New Ideological Agenda in Translation

Chapter Seven: Deconstructing Existent Stereotypes

Chapter Eight: Meeting Challenges in Action

About the author

Juwen Zhang is professor of Chinese and folklore at Willamette University, Oregon.

Product details

• Authors: Juwen Zhang, Zhang Juwen
• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 15.10.2024
• EAN: 9781666970227
• ISBN: 978-1-66697-022-7
• No. of pages: 182
• Series: Studies in Folklore and Ethnology: Traditions, Practices, and Identities
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); Popular Culture, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Folklore & Mythology, Folklore, myths & legends, Literature: history & criticism, Literature: history and criticism, Folklore studies / Study of myth (mythology)