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A Study of the Overseas Dissemination and Audience Reception of English Translations of Romance of the Three Kingdoms in the Digital Media Era

Ruihao Tan, Chenxi Meng, Jiawen He, Juan Wang
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21013/jems.v22.n2.p3
Abstract
In the digital media era, overseas dissemination and audience reception of English translations of Romance of the Three Kingdoms have taken on new characteristics. Drawing on reader reviews from Amazon and Goodreads, this study employs of KH Coder–based text mining, including high-frequency word, co-occurrence netword, cluster, and sentiment analyses, to invesgate how gidital platforms shape readers’ engagement with the text. Findings indicates that transmedia entry points (e.g., video games, films), digital paratexts, and online reader interactions constitute a cyclical dissemination pathway of “gaming interest—digital reviews—  in-depth reading.” Overseas readers generally hold positive attitudes toward the novel’s epic narrative, complex characterization and philosophical depth, while citing cultural distance, character overload, abridgment, and textual quality as major challenges. The study conclude that digital media not only expand the reach of translations but also create participatory spaces where audiences actively negotiate cultural meanings, offering practical implications for the international dissemination of Chinese classics.
Keywords
Romance of The Three Kingdoms, Overseas Dissemination, Reader Reviews, Sentiment Analysis.
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