Enhancing translation reception through paratexts: An analysis of Bonnie McDougall’s translation of Mao Zedong’s “Talks at the Yan’an Conference on Literature and Art”

Mao Zedong’s Talks at the Yan’an Conference on Literature and Art stands as a seminal work that profoundly influenced Chinese literary theory. The complex interplay of historical, cultural, and ideological elements in the Talks presents significant challenges for translators. Despite extensive studies on translation strategies for political texts, there remains a research gap concerning the role of paratextual elements in shaping the interpretation and reception of such translations. Addressing this gap, the present study employs Genette’s paratextual theory to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the paratextual components in McDougall’s English translation of Mao’s Talks. The research aims to elucidate how these paratexts function to enhance understanding among Western readers by (1) providing the historical and ideological foundations, (2) bridging Mao’s literary and aesthetic concepts with Western theories, and (3) tracing the origins and evolution of the key concepts. The findings reveal that McDougall’s paratexts significantly contribute to demystifying complex ideological concepts and situating the Talks within a broader historical and cultural context, thereby enhancing accessibility for Western readers. However, the study also identifies instances where these paratexts may inadvertently oversimplify or reinterpret essential political and cultural intricacies, potentially leading to a partial or skewed understanding of Mao’s ideological positions. The study advocates for a balanced translation approach that maintains fidelity to the source material’s ideological core while effectively engaging an international audience. By highlighting the nuanced role of paratexts, this study contributes to broader discussions on translation reception and the global dissemination of influential literary works.