Western Theory in East Asian Contexts

A major contribution to translation and adaptation studies as well as to our understanding of East Asian culture and literature.

Western Theory in East Asian Contexts explores the intricate relationship between Western translation theories and East Asian literary practices. This work delves into the complexities of translation, adaptation, and imitation, highlighting how these forms of transtextual rewriting intersect within the broader framework of translation studies. The book raises two pivotal questions: how can we expand the definition of translation to encompass adaptation and imitation, and how does this broader understanding reveal the disparities between contemporary Western translation theories and the realities of East Asian cultures, both historically and in the present day?

The text emphasizes the recent scholarly interest in adaptations and imitations, spurred by the growth of cinema, fandom studies, and a poststructuralist perspective that re-evaluates derivative literature. By examining numerous examples from East Asian cultural contexts, the authors illustrate how creators have engaged with source texts through appropriation, transcreation, and recontextualization. The analysis particularly focuses on Sino-Japanese and Sino-English case studies, contrasting their approaches to translation and adaptation while considering the evolving traditions that shape these practices in both Eastern and Western contexts.

Ultimately, Western Theory in East Asian Contexts makes a significant contribution to the fields of translation and adaptation studies, while enhancing our understanding of East Asian culture and literature. By bridging theoretical frameworks and cultural practices, the book invites readers to reconsider established notions of translation and to appreciate the rich, dynamic interplay between different literary traditions.