A Study on the English Translation of Zhejiang Maritime Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Perspective of “Three Livelihoods of ICH”

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the strategy of “promoting Chinese culture globally”, the international communication of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is of great significance for enhancing China’s cultural soft power. As a major province rich in maritime cultural resources, Zhejiang boasts a diverse range of maritime ICH with profound connotations, yet its translation practice is plagued by such problems as the weakening of cultural connotations and the ambiguity of functional attributes. Taking the concept of the “Three Livelihoods of ICH” (Production, Life, Ecology) as the theoretical perspective, this paper, on the basis of sorting out the research achievements of ICH translation at home and abroad, explores the application path of this concept in the English translation of Zhejiang maritime ICH. Through the analysis of typical cases such as Zhoushan Fishermen's Work Songs and Shengsi Fishing Ballads, and with the English translation practice of the fishing ballad East, West, South and North Winds as a concrete example, this paper demonstrates the role of the “Three Livelihoods of ICH” translation strategy in realizing the coordinated communication of cultural inheritance and ecological value from three dimensions: life expression, production function and ecological awareness. The study holds that this translation strategy helps break through the traditional descriptive translation model, enabling Zhejiang maritime ICH to be more effectively understood and communicated as a “living culture” in the international context.