Research On The Translated Version Of Graphic Novel Of The Wandering Earth Through The Lens Of Cultural Translation

As The Three-Body Problem won a Hugo in 2015,various adaptations of Liu Cixin’s scifi IPs have emerged of late years.Among them,comic adaptation is an important form.Graphic novel is such a kind of comics,which is characteristic of adultorientation,seriousness,lengthiness and serialization.It is closely related to comics,and different from traditional comic books in some respects.In 2020,the graphic novel series of The Wandering Earth hit overseas market,which turned out to be a great success.This unique translation mode deserves our attention.Cultural translation is one of the important means which helps us understand this new mode.As translation studies experienced a "cultural turn" in the 1980s,today’s researchers pay more attention to the translation process and the role of various cultural factors(such as society,historical background,readers’ expectations,market,patronage,etc.).If we consider the translation of The Wandering Earth graphic novel series as a large-scale,organized translation activity,then by focusing on the specific text of it,we may be able to identify the role of those cultural factors.Based on the original work of The Wandering Earth and the English graphic novel translation,this paper analyzes the plot structure,color use and text-image relations in the translation,and makes a comparison with the original work to evaluate the influence of relevant cultural factors on its acceptance,as well as learnings that this translation activity provides to the Chinese local communication and publication sector.This paper adopts a qualitative research method,combines theoretical interpretation with case analysis,and is based on the relevant theories of cultural translation and graphic novel studies.It finds that though the translation seems to narrate a moving life story of the protagonist by the change of plot structure,the use of color and the presentation of the text-image relations,it is in fact trying to meet the expectations of its readers,especially Western readers,so as to secure a place in the international market.This paper holds that this strategy has played an important role in facilitating its entry into the Western cultural context and win the foreign market.Based on this,this paper puts forward four suggestions for Chinese literature "going global":right timing,celebrity charm,right translation media,and international cooperation.