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Translation Strategies of Standardization and Communication for Rule-of-Law Discourse with Chinese Characteristics: A Case Study of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China
Zhao Junfeng, Zhao Dan
Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2025, 47(2): 43-60.
https://doi.org/10.12002/j.bisu.575
The systematic and theoretical expressions of discourse on the rule of law with Chinese characteristics embody China’s legal wisdom, rule-of-law thoughts, and values. The translation and dissemination of these expressions play a significant role in shaping the Chinese image of the rule of law, constructing a holistic discourse system, and extending the impact of the rule-of-law discourse. In light of this, the connotations and features of the rule-of-law discourse with Chinese characteristics, based on the chapters related to the rule of law in the four volumes of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, are explored in this paper with a particular focus on examining the application of the strategies of standardization and communication in the translation of rule-of-law discourse. The aim is to provide inspiration and effective approaches for promoting Chinese rule-of-law thoughts accurately and increasing the impact of the international dissemination of Chinese rule-of-law discourse.
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The Role of D-Feature Reassembly Complexity in the Development of L2 Syntax-Morphology
Liu Aijuan, Dai Manchun, Li Zhi
Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2025, 47(2): 61-77.
https://doi.org/10.12002/j.bisu.576
The paradigm of generative grammar is adopted as the theoretical framework in this paper to examine the development of second language (L2) syntax-morphology by investigating the acquisition of the D category and its features by Chinese learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). Ninety-seven learners with an onset age of 12 or older were divided into three groups according to their L2 language proficiency. The participants were tested on their use of English determiners in four different tasks (i.e., Oral Test, Question-Answer Task, Discourse Error Correction Task, and Forced-choice Elicitation Task). The results showed that the learners’ performances regarding article determiner, the indefinite article or the indefinite specific plural, were lower than they were for non-article determiner, the definite article or the definite specific plural. It is argued that the complexity of feature reassembly, which involves such factors as language differences, the nature and the number of the features in the combination, hinders EFL learners’ acquisition of English determiners because these factors affect mapping between abstract syntactic knowledge and surface morphological forms, thus restricting the development of L2 syntax-morphology. The L2 D-Feature Combination Complexity Hypothesis that is presented in this paper is an advancement of the current (syntax-morphology) mapping theory, which does not address factors that affect mapping, with the aim of revealing the causes of variability in L2 acquisition.
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A Tentative Approach to the Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Transmission of Sensory Narratives
Sun Huijun
Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2025, 47(2): 78-89.
https://doi.org/10.12002/j.bisu.577
The intrinsic connection between sensual narratives and artistic resonance lies in sensory perception. Grounded in sensory experiences such as vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, narrative construction relies heavily on vivid descriptions of these modalities. To translate the emotionally compelling force of a text effectively, it is crucial to reconstruct sensory experiences in the target language to enable readers or audiences to empathize with the characters’ emotions and experiences. The English translation of Chen Ran’s feminist novel, A Private Life, is examined in this study by analyzing how sensory narratives are rendered cross-linguistically and cross-culturally. Concrete examples are used to investigate the strategies that were employed to convey the sensory dimensions of the original text, and the methods for introducing contemporary Chinese literature to global audiences through “literary” translations are explored. The findings revealed that shifts in sensory representation within translations altered the degree of bodily presence and weakened or enhanced the emotional impact of the work, thus providing insights for translators of Chinese fiction.
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The Identity Construction of Translators: Taking the Missionary Translators of Shakespeare’s Plays as an Example
Zheng Xiaomei, Zhu Anbo
Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2025, 47(2): 90-104.
https://doi.org/10.12002/j.bisu.578
Western missionaries played a significant role in translating and introducing Shakespeare’s plays to China during the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, yet related studies in the literature remain scarce. The perspective of identity construction is adopted in this paper to analyze the Chinese translations of Shakespeare’s plays entitled Wanrou Ji, Haiguo Quyu, and Shashibiya de Gushi by three missionaries, namely Laura M. White (1914-1915), Isaac Mason (1918), and Madge D. Mateer (1929). The findings revealed that the missionary translators constructed two types of identities, which were their default identities as religious disseminators and their deviational identities as adapters, evaluators, and cultural mediators in the main texts and paratexts of their Chinese translations. The construction of these identities displays the complex ideological frameworks of Western missionaries in modern China, who not only carried out their missionary work but also contributed to the dissemination and reception of Shakespeare’s plays in China.
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A Comprehensive Insight into Translation Research Serving National Strategic Needs: An Interview with Professor Zhang Wei from Beijing Foreign Studies University
Gao Yu, Zhang Wei
Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2025, 47(2): 105-115.
https://doi.org/10.12002/j.bisu.579
Responding to national strategic needs and highlighting social public interests constitute the core orientations and guiding principles of China’s translation research in the new era. Professor Zhang Wei has comprehensively elaborated on the importance of translation studies for national strategic development in the new era; he delved into essential topics such as the principles and developmental directions of translation research, key focus areas of translation research from a national strategic perspective, debates about and the evolution of translation theories with Chinese characteristics, core issues in Chinese-to-foreign translation studies, international communications of discourse with Chinese characteristics, the social value of translation research, the development of translation textbooks, and the impacts and challenges that artificial intelligence poses for the translation profession. This interview facilitates a holistic understanding of the developmental strategies and key issues in China’s translation studies in the new era, thereby promoting the sustainable advancement of translation research in China.
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The Development of Foreign-Language Teaching Materials in Higher Education from the Perspective of New Quality Productive Forces: Challenges and Pathways
Wang Xuemei, Zhou Maojie
Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2025, 47(2): 116-127.
https://doi.org/10.12002/j.bisu.580
Foreign-language teaching materials are crucial resources for cultivating high-quality talents in higher education, making research on the development of teaching materials essential. The concept of new quality productive forces and the rationale for empowering the development of foreign-language teaching materials were explored in this study. Based on relevant data, it identified the main problems with current foreign-language teaching materials in higher education, such as outdated content, an overemphasis on knowledge over skills, and the insufficient support of new forms of materials for both teaching and learning. Furthermore, this study discusses several pathways for the development of foreign-language teaching materials, including ideas, content, the presentation format, the team structure, and mechanisms with the aim of providing insights that will facilitate the construction of high-quality foreign-language teaching materials.
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Contradictions and Actions in the Development of Professional Learning Communities Among English Language Teachers in a Chinese Culture Course
Xue Lina, Wang Yongliang
Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2025, 47(2): 128-144.
https://doi.org/10.12002/j.bisu.581
Curriculum construction has been widely practiced in China, but few studies have examined it from the perspective of professional learning communities (PLC). Accordingly, the challenges and strategies within a PLC of English language teachers developing a Chinese culture course, framed by activity theory, were explored in this study. Using a case study methodology, the findings revealed four main contradictions that the PLC encountered: (1) divergent views about the course objectives, (2) insufficient cultural knowledge and demanding course content, (3) a mismatch between the desired teaching approach and the actual teaching practices, and (4) conflicts with other activity systems. To address these contradictions, the PLC implemented mediating tools such as expert guidance, creative literature reading sessions, and peer support. These actions enhanced the teachers’ cultural knowledge and pedagogical skills, as well as their professional and personal growth. The study has implications for designing and implementing foreign language courses pertaining to the Chinese culture and fostering teachers’ development.
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A Review of the Research on Separable Words in Modern Chinese: Thoughts and Views for Future Research
Wang Haoming, Zhang Heyou
Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2025, 47(2): 145-162.
https://doi.org/10.12002/j.bisu.582
The theoretical research on separable words in Modern Chinese since the publication of Word Formation in Chinese (Lu Zhiwei et al., 1957) is systematically reviewed in this paper. Among the studies, research based on traditional grammar has mainly focused on defi ning the nature of separable words, while research based on modern linguistic theories has analyzed the formation methods of separable words and has attempted to explain the underlying reasons for their existence in Modern Chinese. However, there are many inadequacies in these studies despite their explanatory strengths. In this paper, we argue that the study of separable words in Modern Chinese requires a more comprehensive and in-depth exploration of areas such as describing the phenomena entailed in separation, defining the forms of separation, identifying the typical characteristics of separable words, and conducting cross-language and cross-dialect comparisons. The seeming oddity in Modern Chinese, which appears to contradict Western theories about words, raises the question of whether it reveals certain unique properties or the essence of Chinese, or whether it should be understood within the context of universal phenomena in world languages. This necessitates further investigation and research.
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11 articles
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