JCERJournal of Contemporary Educational Research2208-84662208-8474Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/jcer.v9i8.11767ArticleA Study on the Translation and Dissemination Model of the English Version of “Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out” from the Perspective of Communication Studieshttps://artdesignp.com/journal/JCER/9/8/10.26689/jcer.v9i8.11767ZhangChenglin2025982025-09-04This study adopts a communication studies perspective, employing Lasswell’s “5W” model as the theoretical framework and integrating the “6W” elements of translation communication to systematically examine the translation and dissemination model of the English version of Mo Yan’s novel “Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out,” translated by Howard Goldblatt. By analyzing key elements such as communication content, translator strategies, dissemination channels, and reader reception, the study elucidates the intrinsic mechanisms behind the work’s successful overseas dissemination. The findings reveal that effective communication stems from the synergistic interplay of four dimensions: the intercultural adaptability of the work itself, the translator’s agential mediation, diversified dissemination channels, and reader-oriented translation strategies. This research provides theoretical and practical insights for promoting Chinese literature globally, demonstrating that successful intercultural communication requires an integrated approach encompassing the work, translator, channels, and reader research.

Ouyang S, 2023, A Cross-Cultural Study of Howard Goldblatt’s Translation Strategies for Four-Character Idioms – Taking Mo Yan’s Novel Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out as an Example. Journal of Xiangtan University (Philosophy and Social Sciences), 47(5): 153–157 + 172.

Shi C, Shi Y, 2019, Cultural Construction and Deconstruction of Proverbs in Howard Goldblatt’s Translation of Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out. Foreign Language and Literature, 35(1): 94–99.

Yu C, 2023, Cognitive Translation of Folk Culture-Loaded Expressions from the Perspective of Schema Theory – Taking Mo Yan’s Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out and Its Translation by Howard Goldblatt as an Example. Journal of Yantai University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition), 36(3): 117–124.

Chu Y, 2019, “Six Reincarnations” as Methodology – On Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out’s Transformation of Traditional Narrative. Fiction Review, 2019(2): 31–38.

Lü J, 1996, Translation Studies – A Special Field of Communication Studies. Proceedings of the Second National Academic Symposium of the China Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese, thesis, Nanjing Normal University, 233–243.

Lasswell H, 2013, The Structure and Function of Social Communication. China Communication University Press, Beijing.

Yin F, Yu C, 2020, An Outline of Translation Communication Studies. Journal of Xiangtan University (Philosophy and Social Sciences), 44(5): 170–176.

Bao X, 2013, Exploring the Translation Model of Chinese Culture “Going Out” – An Interview with Huang Youyi, Deputy Director and Editor-in-Chief of China Foreign Languages Bureau. Chinese Translators Journal, 34(5): 62–65.

Zhang L, Wu Q, 2019, Creative Treason and the Translation of Howard Goldblatt’s English Version of Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out. Journal of Qiqihar University (Philosophy and Social Science Edition), 2019(10): 141–143 + 172.

Wang R, 2023, A Study on the Reception of Mo Yan’s Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out in the United States. Art and Literature for Masses, 2023(6): 178–183.

Goldblatt H, 2014, Howard Goldblatt Essays. Zhonghua Book Company, Beijing.

Kam L, 1994, The Translatability of Chinese Culture in Contemporary Chinese Fiction. Modern Chinese Literature, 8(1): 217–227.

Han X, 2018, Analysis of Translation Strategies in Howard Goldblatt’s English Version of Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out. Journal of Ankang University, 30(4): 49–53 + 57.

Hu A, 2010, Research on Translator Models and Translation Strategies for Chinese Literature “Going Out” – Taking American Sinologist Howard Goldblatt as an Example. Chinese Translators Journal, 31(6): 10–16 + 92.

Meng X, 2015, Glocal Chimerican: A Study of Howard Goldblatt’s English Translations. Journal of Foreign Languages, 2015(4): 77–87.

Hu Z, Peng J, 2024, Howard Goldblatt’s Deletion-Based Translation and the “Going Out” of Chinese Culture. Chinese Culture Research, 2024(3): 160–169.

Liu Y, 2019, Research on Howard Goldblatt’s Translation. Nanjing University Press, Nanjing.

Wang X, 2025, A Study of Mistranslations in Howard Goldblatt’s English Version of Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out. English Teachers, 25(9): 41–44.

Liu Y, Xu J, 2014, Literary Translation Models and the Overseas Dissemination of Chinese Literature – On Howard Goldblatt’s Translation. Journal of Foreign Languages, 2014(3): 6–17.

Schramm W, Porter W, 2011, Communication Theory. Renmin University of China Press, Beijing, 134.

Ji J, 2009, I Translate Therefore I Am: An Interview with Howard Goldblatt. Contemporary Writers Review, 2009(6): 45–56.