The Translationally Remixed Chinese Internet Literature on Bilibili: A Case of Xie-du

Year 2024, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 81 - 107, 31.12.2024

Jiahua Bu

https://doi.org/10.29228/transLogos.70

Abstract

Fan translations of Chinese Internet Literature (CIL) have received growing attention, but their transmedia nature remains underexplored. Investigating ‘translational remix’ as an emerging fan translation practice on Bilibili, a major Chinese video-sharing platform, this research seeks to address the gap in existing studies that focus predominantly on textual translation by examining how fan translational remixers integrate transmedia elements to reinterpret CIL, thereby contributing to its global dissemination. Using the novel Xie-du as a case study, this research examines how remixers creatively combine textual translation with audiovisual materials to adapt and reinterpret CIL in a transmedia context. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data from selected fan-made translational remixes. The methodology includes a close examination of the creative strategies used to select and integrate media from both Chinese and global popular culture, demonstrating how translational remixers produce new narrative forms that bridge linguistic and cultural gaps. The findings reveal that translational remixers are not only translating text but also transforming CIL into dynamic, multimedia experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. By showcasing translational remix as a new form of audiovisual fan translation, this study highlights how remix culture facilitates the global dissemination of CIL. It underscores the role of platforms like Bilibili in supporting fan communities that actively engage in the reimagining and sharing of CIL across borders, contributing to the growing global visibility of Chinese literature.

Keywords

translational remix, audiovisual translation, Chinese internet literature, convergence culture, transmedia storytelling

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