JOURNAL ARTICLE

Steering a course between economic returns and ideological services: A case study of publishing translations in the thawing 1980s of China.

  • Published In: Babel: International Journal of Translation / Revue Internationale de la Traduction / Revista Internacional de Traducción, 2026, v. 72, n. 1. P. 78 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: He, Min; Bao, Shanquan 3 of 3

Abstract

Taking patronized publishers as a starting point, this article examines how the shift in patronage during China's thawing 1980s shaped publishers regarding their selection of translations and the framing of those translations through paratexts. It finds that the type of patronage publishers receive can significantly influence their publishing behavior. Undifferentiated patronage can ensure publishers' ideological compliance, but when patronage lacks economic components, publishers' ideological commitment can wane. As a result, publishers turned to translations that attracted a broader readership yet were deemed ideologically inappropriate. Furthermore, during this period marked by uncertainty and tentativeness, Chinese publishers chose translations as a means to test their patron's tolerance and included paratexts to justify their decisions, downplaying profit motives while emphasizing the social importance of their publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Babel: International Journal of Translation / Revue Internationale de la Traduction / Revista Internacional de Traducción. 2026/01, Vol. 72, Issue 1, p78
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Communication and Mass Media
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0521-9744
  • DOI:10.1075/babel.24227.he
  • Accession Number:192160332
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Babel: International Journal of Translation / Revue Internationale de la Traduction / Revista Internacional de Traducción is the property of John Benjamins Publishing Co. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.