Three-Dimensional Transformation in the English Translation of China’s Foreign Ministry Spokespersons’ Conflictive Responses

Abstract

This study investigates the translation of conflictive responses in Chinese diplomatic discourse into English. Utilizing the three-dimensional transformation framework of eco-translatology, encompassing linguistic, cultural, and communicative dimensions, the research identifies strategies and challenges in achieving semantic equivalence, cultural appropriateness, and communicative effectiveness. The study employs a qualitative approach, combining descriptive translation studies and content analysis. The corpus is sourced from the official website of China’s Foreign Ministry’s press conferences in 2020 delivered by the spokesperson Zhao Lijian. Findings reveal that idiomatic expressions and neologisms with negative connotations characterize conflictive responses and present significant translation challenges. The three-dimensional transformations are not always fully realized, particularly in neologisms lacking direct equivalents in the target language. Adaptation and description are frequently adopted, and the literal translation is not often applicable when dealing with culturally-rendered expressions. This study underscores the importance of a translator-centered approach that highlights the critical role of translation in shaping diplomatic discourse.