Abstract: By using Stephen Owen’s Readings in Chinese Literary Thought as a case study, this paper aims to elucidate the interaction between intersubjectivity, dialogism, interactive elucidation, and thick translation.The goal is to explain the theoretical and practical value of thick translation as a principle of literary translation, rather than just a translation phenomenon or method.The paper argues that thick translation achieves interactive elucidation by constructing a three-dimensional dialogue between the text, the translator, and the target readers.This dialogue occurs between different cultures, literary thoughts, and historical periods, paving the way for the sharing of experiences and knowledge between the translator and the readers.This sharing helps achieve cognitive coordination, promote cultural exchanges, and facilitate mutual recognition and learning between cultures.Ultimately, thick translation fulfills the argumentative function of translation, and offers a valuable approach for achieving effective cross-cultural communication.