Paratexts in Translation as Mediators: A Case Study of Lin Yutang’s English Translation of Dao De Jing

Abstract

As a world-famous writer and translator, Lin Yutang is recognized as a cultural ambassador who dedicated his entire life to cross-cultural communication between East and West. His translation works are of great significance in promoting cultural exchange between China and the West. Taking his English translation of the Chinese canon Dao De Jing as a case study, this article conducts a thorough analysis of paratexts in translation and discusses how paratexts help the translator interpret the source text and introduce Laozi’s thoughts for western audiences. More importantly, it explores the mediating functions of paratexts in facilitating target readers’ understanding and reception of the original text. The study demonstrates that paratexts in translation provide an effective platform for translators to interpret the source text and facilitate the target reader’s comprehension and perception of the source culture, thus highlighting the essential characteristic of translation as a cross-cultural communication activity.