A Study of the Communication Effect of Chinese Children’s Literature in English-speaking World: Based on Website Reader Reviews

This study examines the communication effect of Chinese children’s literature in the English-speaking world, employing a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative analysis of reader feedback from Amazon and Goodreads. Using Python in the digital humanities framework, the investigation uncovers several key findings. First, overseas reader reviews are relatively limited, focusing primarily on two works: Bronze and Sunflower and The Diary of Ma Yan: The Struggles and Hopes of a Chinese Schoolgirl. Second, works addressing universal themes like family, education, and love resonate more with readers. Recurring terms in comments include ‘narrative’, ‘values’, and ‘writing skills’, indicating key areas of interest. Third, readers consistently commend translators, highlighting the increasing recognition of translation’s cultural communicative value. Additionally, translation quality is a crucial consideration, especially when readers express confusion or disagreement with the text. Using data analysis, this paper explores the success of these works through three perspectives: coincidences vs. necessities, subject and content, and author-translator dynamics. In conclusion, the study offers recommendations to improve literary creation, translation practices, and the dissemination of Chinese children’s literature.