Strategic Narratives across the Strait: A Comparative Analysis of the English, Italian, and Arabic Versions of The Governance of China (I)

The status quo in Cross-Strait relations is a delicate thread carefully constructed through language, resulting in strategic semantic ambiguity. This research examines translation’s role in reframing “strategic narratives” on the Taiwan issue for different target audiences, using the English, Italian, and Arabic versions of The Governance of China (I) as a case study. The English version uses inclusive language and softens claims for a broad readership. Catering to specific cultural sensibilities, the Italian translation amplifies emotional rhetoric, while the Arabic edition adapts kinship and moral metaphors for greater resonance. Across all versions, rhetorical devices such as family metaphors, historical references, and economic portrayals build a perception of inevitability regarding the PRC’s position on Taiwan. This situates translation as a site of ideological negotiation, reframing narratives to persuade readers of China’s legitimate claim.