A Study on AI-Assisted English Translation of Ritual Texts and Transference of Ritual Symbols of the Hainan Junpo Festival from a Cross-Cultural Perspective

Abstract

The present study focuses on the unique folk-cultural phenomenon of the Hainan Junpo Festival. From a cross-cultural perspective, it utilizes AI technology to translate ritual texts into English and to interpret ritual symbols. Grounded in theoretical foundations such as Ritual Communication Theory, the Cultural Turn in Translation Studies, and the Semiotic Approach to Translation, the research employs AI tools, including Large Language Models (LLMs), a cultural symbol semantic network, and an eye-tracker, to investigate ritual texts like those describing "Troop Impersonation" and "Cheek Piercing." By reconstructing ritual scenes through VR technology and analyzing differences in international audiences' visual attention to ritual symbols via eye-tracking experiments, the study aims to explore effective pathways for enhancing the cross-cultural communication efficacy of the Hainan Junpo Festival's culture.