This research was supported by FIT’s Smart Course Construction Project (LGJG2025099) and the Teaching Resource Library Construction Project (LGJG2025032).
Abstract
As globalization keeps moving forward, translating and spreading Chinese intangible cultural heritage (ICH) overseas grows increasingly important, as it amps up Chinese culture’s international voice. Lishui, a major ICH hub in southwest Zhejiang Province, has iconic projects like Longquan celadon as core cross-cultural communication carriers rich in traditional Chinese cultural meanings. However, current English translations for Lishui’s ICH promotion have obvious flaws: incomplete cultural information delivery and hard-to-follow content for target audiences, which hinder the global promotion of celadon craftsmanship and fail to fully showcase its unique value. This study builds an analytical framework based on functional equivalence theory, explores its value in bridging cultural gaps, examines Lishui’s ICH translation status and specific issues in Longquan celadon’s English translation, summarizes practical tips through typical cases, and confirms that ICH translation is essentially cross-cultural communication rather than mere language switching. It aims to provide theoretical guidance and practical paths for improving Lishui’s ICH external translation and verify the theory’s real value in global ICH promotion.
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How to cite this paper
A Study on the English Translation Strategies for the Publicity of Lishui’s Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence Theory: A Case Study of Longquan Celadon
How to cite this paper: Yining Yang, Wenhua Lin. (2026) A Study on the English Translation Strategies for the Publicity of Lishui’s Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence Theory: A Case Study of Longquan Celadon. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 10(7), 757-762.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2026.07.002