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Subtitle Translation in External Publicity Documentaries under the Guidance of the "Three Closeness Principles": A Case Study of Seasons of China

Bihan Lin, Yuqing Wang
Scientific Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, (2025), Vol.7, No.12, pp.271-276
Published: December 8, 2025
DOI: 10.54691/ae516h66
PDF: Download Full Text PDF
Abstract

Under the broader context of enhancing China’s cultural soft power and telling its stories well, external publicity translation has gained significant importance, with documentary subtitling emerging as a vital medium for cross-cultural communication. This study, guided by Huang Youyi’s “Three Closeness Principles”--which emphasize aligning translation with China’s reality, foreign audiences’ information needs, and their cognitive habits--explores the application of domestication and foreignization strategies in the subtitle translation of the documentary Seasons of China. The research demonstrates that a balanced and flexible integration of both strategies, under the “Three Closeness Principles” framework, enables the effective transmission of Chinese cultural content while maintaining its authenticity. This approach not only bridges communication gaps but also supports the overarching goal of fostering meaningful cross-cultural understanding through external publicity.

Keywords: The “Three Closeness Principles”; External Publicity Translation; Subtitle Translation; Seasons of China; Domestication and Foreignization.
APA Citation: Bihan Lin, Yuqing Wang (2025). Subtitle Translation in External Publicity Documentaries under the Guidance of the "Three Closeness Principles": A Case Study of Seasons of China. Scientific Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 7(12), 271-276. https://doi.org/10.54691/ae516h66

References

  1. Huang Youyi. 2004. Adhering to the Principle of “Three Closenesses” in External Publicity: Addressing Difficulties in Translation for External Publicity. Chinese Translation (6): 29-30.
  2. Chen Jingyu & Huang Youyi. 2024. Building Translation and International Communication in China’s Foreign Discourse System: An Interview with Mr. Huang Youyi. Chinese Translation, 45 (2), 117-122.
  3. Chen Kefang & Chen Jingyu. 2024. Grounded in Fundamentals, Pragmatic in Practice: Translating with Heart to Serve the Nation--Interpreting Mr. Huang Youyi’s Translation and Communication Philosophy. Shanghai Translation (4), 89-95.
  4. Huang Youyi. 2022. From “Translation World” to “Translation China”: External Communication and Translation Practice. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press.
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