An Integrated Model For C-e Government Website Translation

Since the central government in China launched the first English version of Chinese government websites in 2006, local governments at all levels began to build their own English-language websites as responses to the"Government Online Project". The English-language websites play a significant role in bettering international relations as well as helping China establish a favorable image. However, few studies have been undertaken on C-E government website translation in a comprehensive and systematic way. This study aims to fill the gap by proposing an integrated model for C-E government website translation supported by both qualitative and quantitative researches. One hundred questionnaires and eighteen interviews have been conducted to find out the expectations of the target users, and the reasons why they are dissatisfied with the present English versions of Chinese government websites. Errors prevalent in the English versions of Chinese government websites are analyzed with the support of two government webpage corpora established by the author. On the basis of the studies, an integrated model for C-E government website translation is put forward, in which the interaction process of government website implementation is clarified with emphasis on the roles of consultation and cooperation, feedback and gatekeeper. This model can also be applied to other types of publicity-focused website translation.