The importance of considering the reader in translation from the perspective of Reception Aesthetics

the case of Chinese-Portuguese cultural translation

Abstract

This paper focuses on the importance of considering the target reader in the process of cultural translation between Chinese and Portuguese, from the perspective of Reception Aesthetics, in order to ensure an adequate perception and reception of the original culture, thus enabling a successful intercultural dialogue between the reader and the source text.

Reception Aesthetics, also known as Reception Theory, privileges the role of the reader/receiver in Literary Studies, and its foundational concepts of the reader's “horizon of expectation” and the text's “gaps / blanks” highlight the crucial role of the receiver in shaping the value of a literary work, offering a new perspective to Translation Studies.

Based on a qualitative and contrastive analysis of selected case studies from two bilingual monographs entitled «This Is China: Essential Aspect of Chinese Culture» and «Common Knowledge About Chinese Culture», this paper proposes several solutions aimed at fulfilling the horizon of expectations of the target audience, drawing on perspectives of linguistic habits, cultural context, and aesthetic needs. This work further points out that it is essential not only to meet, but also to expand the horizons of readers, preserving some heterogeneous cultural elements through the gaps in the target text, so as to achieve genuine consideration for the reader.

It is expected that this work will draw translators’ attention to the consideration of reader reception, and that the proposed suggestions will serve as inspiration for Sino-Portuguese translation, promoting effective intercultural communication between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.