Subtitle Translation in External Publicity Documentaries under the Guidance of the "Three Closeness Principles": A Case Study of Seasons of China

Abstract

Under the broader context of enhancing China’s cultural soft power and telling its stories well, external publicity translation has gained significant importance, with documentary subtitling emerging as a vital medium for cross-cultural communication. This study, guided by Huang Youyi’s “Three Closeness Principles”--which emphasize aligning translation with China’s reality, foreign audiences’ information needs, and their cognitive habits--explores the application of domestication and foreignization strategies in the subtitle translation of the documentary Seasons of China. The research demonstrates that a balanced and flexible integration of both strategies, under the “Three Closeness Principles” framework, enables the effective transmission of Chinese cultural content while maintaining its authenticity. This approach not only bridges communication gaps but also supports the overarching goal of fostering meaningful cross-cultural understanding through external publicity.