News translation, the Korean other and the construction of Chinese national identity: The case of Ltaaa.Com

• Published in: Media international Australia incorporating Culture & policy Vol. 173; no. 1; pp. 142 - 157
• Main Author: Chase, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.11.2019; University of Queensland, School of English, Media Studies & Art History
• Subjects: Chinese language; Chinese languages; Community; Diplomatic relations; Group identity; Hostility; Internet; Korean language; Language; National identity; Nationalism; News; Political aspects; Press; Translating; Translation; China; Korea (South); cyber-nationalism; Ltaaa.com; news translation; Chinese identity; Chinese nationalism; Sino-centrism; Sino-Korean relations
• ISSN: 1329-878X; 2200-467X
• DOI: 10.1177/1329878X19873982

This article examines an underexplored area of communication studies to date, the relationship between news translation and national identity construction in China. By analysing the translation into Chinese of Korean language news that takes place on the Chinese volunteer news translation website Ltaaa.com, this article shows how the translation of news reports, and the discussions which these translations engender within the Ltaaa.com community, help to foster an aggressive form of Chinese national identity among community members. By constantly emphasising difference and promoting hostility, through attempts to control historical discussion and by asserting a superordinate status and position for China in its relations with Korea, the translation activities that take place within the Ltaaa.com community encourage the growth of a xenophobic, belligerent and condescending nationalism that is likely to hinder the development of more productive Sino-South Korean ties.