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Article published In:
Babel
Vol. 67:6 (2021) ► pp.819–844

Revisiting translation in the age of digital globalization

The “going global” of Chinese web fiction through overseas volunteer translation websites

| Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Globalization has gone digital and presents a new type of connectivity virtually today. Digital globalization has transformed the landscape of translation theory and practice, exerting considerable influence on translation studies and the profession of translators. The translation practice evolves with the change of literary expectations driven by the digital revolution. New translation modes have been cultivated by incorporating two essential features of the age, known as technology and participation. Against this backdrop, Chinese web fiction is going global with establishing and developing overseas volunteer translation websites. With this in mind, this paper analyzes the translation model of Chinese web fiction with respect to digital globalization and argues that the fan-based volunteer translation has emerged as a new paradigm that features the “user participation turn” in translation studies.

Keywords: digital globalization, Chinese web fiction, volunteer translation websites, fan translation, user participation turn, China
Article outline
  • Translation and digital globalization: A participatory perspective
  • Chinese web fiction going global: The development of overseas volunteer translation websites
  • Participation-driven and oriented: The translation model of Chinese web fiction
    • Interactivity in translation
    • Visibility of the translator
    • Collaboration in translation
  • The Use of machine translation (MT)
  • Concluding remarks: Chinese culture going global digitally through translation
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 7 December 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.00248.wu
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