The Role of US Translation Policy in Expanding American Cultural Influence Abroad

doi:10.12002/j.bisu.488

Abstract

Abstract:

Translation plays a critical and pioneering role in cultural exchange and communication. History indicates that almost every nation has implemented implicit or explicit translation policies to expand its cultural influence abroad. The prevalence of US culture in the world can also be attributed to its translation policies. This paper describes and analyzes how the United States has implemented its translation policies across different historical periods since the 20^th century during which different strategic approaches have been adopted to develop and expand US culture influence. Before World War II, the United States appropriated Asian cultural resources via the “translating into” policy sponsored by private foundations. During World War II, it implemented the “translating out” policy to spread American cultural influence in Europe. From the post-WWII period to the late 1970s, both the “translating into” and “translating out” policies were implemented to enhance the global influence of American culture. When the US achieved geopolitical dominance beginning in the 1980s, “translating into” became the primary policy. The paper concludes that both US governmental organizations and nongovernmental organizations fund translation projects and have implemented a two-way “translating into” and “translating out” strategy to expand American cultural influence abroad. The US translation approach may serve as reference for China’s own strategy in expanding its cultural influence abroad.

Keywords: translation policy; cultural strategy; translating out; translating into; cultural communication abroad; USA

摘要：

美国文化在全球的传播离不开其一个多世纪以来所实施的各类翻译政策。本文以美国文化战略的历史发展阶段为框架，描述分析20世纪以来美国对外文化战略中的翻译政策与实践。本文认为，二战前美国通过民间机构的“译入”政策实施了占有东方文化的文化战略；二战期间实施了向欧洲各国“译出”美国文化的战略；二战后直至20世纪70年代末通过官方机构和民间组织的“译出”和“译入”双重翻译政策确立了美国的文化霸权地位；20世纪80年代后通过“译入”政策维持美国文化的全球霸权地位。美国在文化战略中积极实施翻译政策，这对我国完善翻译政策、促进中国文化发展及在全球的传播具有一定启示意义。

关键词: 翻译政策, 文化战略, 译出, 译入, 文化传播, 美国

CLC Number:

H059/H315.9

Gong Xianjing. The Role of US Translation Policy in Expanding American Cultural Influence Abroad[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2023, 45(6): 67-79.

龚献静. 20世纪以来美国翻译政策对其文化战略的影响研究[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2023, 45(6): 67-79.

Figures/Tables 2

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