Reader-based study reveals that annotated translations evoke empathy more effectively than illustrated texts in readers, highlighting the role of context.
Key Points
To investigate how different translation formats of Xi Ni Er's short story 'Major Yokoda' influence empathic evocation among target readers.
Assigned target readers to evaluate three translation formats: plain translation, translation with pictures and captions, and translation with text analysis and annotations.
Administered a 10-item scale-based questionnaire to elicit reader reactions, emotional responses, and baseline knowledge regarding the Japanese occupation of Singapore.
Participants across all three translation format groups exhibited similar baseline knowledge regarding the Japanese occupation of Singapore.
All three translation formats successfully evoked empathy and sympathy among target readers.
Translations with textual annotations and contextual background performed qualitatively better at enhancing reader empathy than formats featuring pictures and captions.