Gender representation in translation: Examining the reshaping of a female child’s image in the English translation of the children’s novel Bronze and Sunflower

This article explores the translation of gender representation in the English version of the Chinese children’s novel Bronze and Sunflower (Cao in 青铜葵花 [Bronze and Sunflower], Jiangsu Fenghuang Children’s Publisher, Nanjing, 2005) by Wenxuan Cao. By analyzing the translator’s choices in terms of omission and rewriting, the study examines how the image of the female child protagonist, Sunflower, is reshaped. A comparative text analysis reveals that the translator mitigates Sunflower’s fragility and submissiveness, strengthens her capabilities, and weakens the original novel’s conceptual metaphor GIRL IS SCENERY (Jiang in Contemp Writers Rev 6:165–172, 2020) and “the classical beauty ideal” (Shen in Lion Unicorn 42:281–301, 2018). This approach aims to challenge and deconstruct traditional gender stereotypes and patriarchal discourse. The article highlights the importance of careful consideration when translating gender-related content in children’s literature, as it can shape children’s perceptions of gender roles. The article contributes to the study of the intersection of gender studies, children’s literature, and translation studies. Copyright © 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.