Constructing Images of the Chinese Family in the Japanese Translation of "To Live"

Bai Yu

Liaoning University of International Business and Economics

Abstract：

This study examines images of the Chinese family in the Japanese translation of Yu Hua's "To Live". Drawing on the original narrative and the paratexts of the 2019 Chuko Bunko and electronic editions, it analyzes familial responsibility, everyday care, family memory, and the interpretive role of the Japanese title and publisher's descriptions. The findings suggest that these paratexts connect Chinese history with shared human experiences, offering Japanese readers an accessible entry into the novel. However, their communicative potential should not be equated with actual changes in readers' perceptions of China.

Key Words：

 "To Live"; Ikiru; Chinese family image; Japanese translation; paratext