International Research and Academic scholar society

IRASS Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Issue-3(March), Volume-3 2026

1. Expansion Strategies in Chinese Translation: A Case Study of the Subti...
4

Gong Jia*
University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
1-4
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19105476

Based on Wang Jianguo’s translation theory, this paper takes the subtitle translation of the television series Dune: Prophecy as a case study to explore the ―expansion strategy‖ in English–Chinese translation and its applications. The study shows that, compared with the ―compression‖ strategy typically discussed in Chinese–English translation, English–Chinese translation often requires expansion at the levels of language and cognition through semantic explicitation, logical cohesion, and cultural adaptation. The case analysis demonstrates that an awareness of expansion is reflected in the blurring of boundaries among cognitive semantics, structural form, and pragmatic rhetoric. Its core lies in reconstructing context and making logic explicit so as to balance the fluency of the target text with depth of meaning, thereby enhancing Chinese viewers’ comprehension of and emotional engagement with the plot. This study provides a theoretical reference for audiovisual translation practice and reveals the impact of expansion strategies on the aesthetic effect and communicative efficacy of translated subtitles in cross-cultural contexts.

2. Research on English Translation Strategies of Characteristic Terms in...
2

Shiyuan Shi*
College of Foreign Languages, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
5-9
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19105868

Public diplomacy constitutes a significant category within international relations studies, and its discourse system encompasses numerous political terms and cultural concepts with distinctive Chinese characteristics. This paper examines the English translation practices of core terms such as “people-to-people exchanges,” “strategic competition,” “soft power,” and “sharp power” by analyzing the text Decent Friendship Wins True Respect: Shanghai Public Diplomacy Practice. The study reveals significant challenges in translating public diplomacy terminology, including high political sensitivity, complex cultural connotations, and differences in international discourse systems. Guided by functional equivalence theory and terminology principles, this paper proposes translation strategies that integrate elements of domestication and foreignization. These approaches aim to provide reference points for disseminating public diplomacy discourse internationally, thereby enhancing the recognition of China‟s distinctive diplomatic discourse system on the global stage.

3. Perceived Social Support as a Correlate of Secondary School Students'...
2

Okigbo Ebele Chinelo*, Ifeoma...
Department of Science Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
10-15
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19109225

The study examined perceived social support as a correlate of secondary school students' attitude to Biology in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study while two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 alpha level. A correlation survey design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 29,158 senior secondary school two (SS2) Biology students from the FCT, Abuja. From which a 2, 928 SS2 students offering Biology was drawn using proportionate sampling and stratified random sampling techniques. Students Social Support Questionnaire (SSSQ) adapted from “What is happening in the classroom questionnaire” (WIHICQ), by Cohen, Mermelstein, Kamarck, and Hoberman (1985) and Biology Students’ Attitude Scale (BSAS) adapted from Students Attitude towards Biology (SAB) by Danilo (2019) were used as instruments for data collection. The instruments were validated by three experts from Faculty of Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The Cronbach alpha reliability coefficients of SSSQ and BSAS were found to be 0.79 and 0.81 respectively. The data were collected using SSSQ and BSAS with the help of the research assistants who were Biology teachers. Pearson product moment correlation r was used to answer the research questions and to test the hypotheses. The finding revealed that the relationship between secondary school students’ perceived social support scores and attitude scores towards Biology is moderate and significant. Also, there is a low positive relationship between various dimensions of perceived social support scores and secondary school students’ attitude scores in Biology but not significant. It was recommended that students’ Biology teachers should monitor, changes in social support alongside the attitude of students to enable iterative refinement of interventions to sustain gains over time in Biology in secondary schools.

4. Creativity, Academic Motivation and Achievement Belief as Determinants...
0

Ebele Chinelo Okigbo*, Grace N...
Department of Science Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
16-23
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19109290

The study investigated creativity, academic motivation and achievement belief as determinants of mental ability of senior secondary school students in Mathematics in Anambra state, Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study and four hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The predictive correlation design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 21,204 senior secondary two SS2 students in Anambra State, out of which 720 students obtained using random and purposive sampling techniques were involved in the study. The instruments for data collection were validated by three experts from the Departments of Science Education and Educational Foundations (Measurement and Evaluation), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The reliability of creativity inventory, academic motivation scale and achievement beliefs scale was established using Cronbach Alpha while that of Mental Ability Test (MAT) was established using KR-20 which yielded coefficient value of .72 for Creativity inventory, .73 for academic motivation scale, .71 for achievement beliefs scale and .73 for Mental Ability Test. Creativity inventory, academic motivation scale, achievement beliefs scale and mental ability test were administered on the students with the help of six research assistants. Data obtained were analyzed using simple and multiple linear regressions. The findings of the study among others revealed that creativity, academic motivation, and achievement beliefs jointly made significant contribution to the prediction of students’ mental ability. Among the predictors, academic motivation showed the highest beta weight, indicating that motivated students tend to exhibit higher mental ability in Mathematics. Creativity also positively influenced mental ability in Mathematics, while achievement beliefs enhanced students’ mental ability in Mathematics. Based on the above findings. It was recommended among others that teachers and school administrators design instructional strategies that foster creativity, sustain academic motivation and strengthen positive achievement beliefs to improve students’ mental ability.

5. Workforce Diversity on Educational Sustainability in Nigerian Universi...
7

David Musa Edibo, Francisca Nk...
Department of Business Administration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
24-36
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19206966

The study examined the effect of workforce diversity on educational sustainability among the Faculty of Management Sciences academic staff in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The population of the study was 297 lecturers, with a sample size of 170, arrived at by applying Taro Yamane’s formula. The data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis and hypotheses tested at a 5% level of significance using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS]. Findings reveal a significant positive effect of age diversity on educational sustainability among the academic staff of Management Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The result of age diversity (β = 0.751, F = 439.191, and p-value < 0.05), Age diversity accounted for 56.5%, highlighting the value of intergenerational knowledge sharing and inclusivity. There is a significant positive effect of Gender diversity on educational sustainability among the academic staff of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The result of Gender diversity (β = 0.750, F = 541.191, and p-value < 0.05), explaining 66% of the variation, confirms that gender balance promotes fairness, participation, and institutional growth. The management of the institution needs to embrace employee diversity management strategies as this can contribute to the performance of the institution through enhanced decision-making and problem-solving by providing a range of perspectives, a broad spectrum of expertise and a more robust process for critical evaluation. Universities should integrate a diversity strategy into their long-term educational sustainability plans. Diverse staff should be engaged in designing and executing sustainability initiatives, including research, community engagement and infrastructural development.

6. Contextual Reconstruction in the English Translation of Chinese Childr...
4

Zhang Liru*
School of Foreign Languages, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
37-45
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19229087

As Chinese children’s animated films increasingly permeate the global market, their titles act as pivotal paratexts that mold young audiences’ initial impressions, emotional involvement, and interpretive anticipations. Translating these titles is far more than a mere linguistic conversion; it is a sophisticated process of contextual reconstruction, shaped by disparities in linguistic structures, cultural cognition, and audience reception across China and the English-speaking world. Grounded in the Boundary Compression framework, this study investigates how Chinese children’s animated film titles are translated into English to align with the cognitive developmental stages and affective demands of young global viewers. It posits that effective translation entails compressing process-oriented Chinese linguistic expressions into result-oriented English forms, while simultaneously enhancing cognitive accessibility and emotional resonance for the target juvenile audience. Through case analyses of representative Chinese children’s animated films, including Ne Zha, Boonie Bears, and Big Fish & Begonia, this paper identifies five core Boundary Compression strategies-classificatory, eliminative, implicative, fixed-point, and prospective compression-and dissects how each strategy facilitates the reconstruction of narrative meaning, thematic focus, and affective appeal in English translations. By integrating cognitive translation studies and affect theory, this research addresses the gap in existing scholarship on children’s media translation beyond Euro-Americancentric perspectives, and contributes to broader discourses on translational convergences and divergences in global children’s literature and audiovisual media. It further explores how cultural values and aesthetic sensibilities inherent in Chinese animated film titles are mediated and rearticulated through translation, fostering cross-cultural exchange in the juvenile media landscape.

7. The Challenges Faced by Adult Learners in Open Distance Learning at th...
2

Edina Msonge*
Institute of Adult Education (IAE), P.O. Box 340, Shinyanga, Tanzania
46-52
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19249943

This study examined the challenges faced by adult learners in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) at the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania. Adult learners represent a diverse group with unique responsibilities, backgrounds, and goals, and while ODL offers flexibility and lifelong learning opportunities, many challenges hinder its effectiveness. The study was guided by the objective of identifying the barriers adult learners encounter in pursuing education through ODL. A mixed research approach was adopted, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected from 80 adult learners and 2 course facilitators using questionnaires and in-depth interviews, with random sampling employed to ensure representation. The findings revealed several interconnected challenges, including time management, financial constraints were also significant, technological barriers such as limited ICT skills and poor internet access, and further restricted participation. Moreover, unclear ODL guidelines and policies as a challenge, highlighting systemic and policyrelated gaps. Language barriers were also reported to affect learners’ ability to effectively engage with course content. The study concludes that while ODL provides important educational opportunities for adults in Tanzania, its potential is undermined by systemic policy weaknesses, inadequate infrastructure, financial burdens, and personal constraints related to time and language. It recommends that the government and institutions develop clear ODL policies, strengthen ICT infrastructure, and provide financial aid and institutional support services tailored to adult learners. Flexible scheduling and language support programs are also necessary to foster inclusivity and enhance academic success. Overall, addressing these barriers is crucial for ensuring that adult learners can fully benefit from ODL and contribute meaningfully to personal and societal development.

8. A Study on Compression Strategies in the English Translation of Chines...
2

Shuxian Zhu*
School of Foreign Languages, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
53-59
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19250163

Against the backdrop of increasingly frequent global cultural exchanges, Chinese cinema has also begun to implement the "going global" strategic decision. Therefore, the translation of film titles has become a key link in cross-cultural communication. As an important component of the Chinese film market, the translation of youth film titles not only needs to convey the core content of the films but also must consider the acceptance of the target cultural audience. Based on the theoretical framework of compression strategies proposed by Professor Wang Jianguo in Chinese-English Contrast and Translation, this study systematically analyzes the application of compression strategies in the English translation of Chinese youth film titles. The research categorizes "youth films" into thematic types such as romantic youth, campus youth, and cruel youth, selecting highly acclaimed films like Soulmate, So Young, and Better Days as representatives to analyze the specific application of compression strategies in their English-translated titles. Finally, it summarizes the patterns of using compression strategies in youth film title translation and points out the relationship between different compression strategies and film genres as well as thematic expression. The study finds that compression strategies are commonly employed in the translation of youth film titles, and different types of youth films tend to adopt different compression methods. This provides theoretical guidance and practical reference for the international dissemination of domestic films.





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