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The Translation for Performance of Jingju Props (‘Dao Qiang Bazǐ’) from the Perspective of Multimodal Translation Theory
- Authors: Xinrong Zhao
- Information:
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Keywords:
Jingju (Peking Opera); Multimodal Translation; Performability; ‘Dao Qiang Bazǐ’ (Theatrical Props); Cultural Discount
- Abstract: Jingju (Peking Opera) translation is caught in a critical dilemma, torn between a protectionist impulse to safeguard its cultural authenticity and the practical demand for genuine performability on the global stage. This article argues that prevailing text-centric translation practices, which often prioritize textual fidelity at the expense of performative function, inadvertently lead to a “cultural discount,” rendering key multimodal elements like ‘Dao Qiang Bazǐ’ (theatrical weaponry and stylized combat) semiotically inert for non-native audiences. By analyzing the translation of ‘Dao Qiang Bazǐ’ as a microcosm of Jingju’s holistic artistry, this study adopts performability as its central analytical lens, arguing that a multimodal framework is essential for translating such complex artistic units. The paper proposes a concrete strategic approach that centers on constructing an “immersive interpretive environment” that manages audience cognitive load through three progressive layers: Cognitive Priming, Real-time Assistance, and Experiential Internalization. Ultimately, this study offers a practitioner-focused perspective that shifts the goal of Jingju translation from cultural preservation to successful market integration. By engineering new “affordances” that extend the art form into new performance practices, this approach ensures its complex meanings are not just preserved but effectively communicated, thereby opening up new possibilities for its reception on the global stage.
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.35534/lin.0703019
- Cite: Zhao, X. R. (2025). The Translation for Performance of Jingju Props (‘Dao Qiang Bazǐ’) from the Perspective of Multimodal Translation Theory. Linguistics, 7(3), 186-195.
