1 Introduction

In the digital age, internet buzzwords emerge in an overwhelming wave, profoundly reflecting the linguistic style and cultural trends of contemporary society, thereby becoming an integral component of social culture. Concurrently, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has led to the emergence of translation models like ChatGPT, which offer new possibilities for addressing complex linguistic phenomena. This paper employs ChatGPT3.5 as a translation tool with the aim of exploring whether AI-based translation models can align with the principles of embodied-cognition in translation. Wang (2023, p76) summarized the core principles of embodied-cognitive linguistics and embodied-cognitive translation studies as “reality-cognition-language”, suggesting that both mind and language stem from the “embodiment (interactive experience)” and “cognition (cognitive processing)” of reality, thus providing a fresh perspective for translation studies. By integrating internet buzzwords, the ChatGPT translation model, and the theory of embodied-cognitive translation, this paper seeks to investigate how the embodiment-cognition perspective can guide the English translation practice of internet buzzwords, analyze the strengths and limitations of the ChatGPT model in handling such language, and ultimately provide new insights and methodologies for the English translation of internet buzzwords on both theoretical and practical application levels.

2 English Translation of Internet Buzzwords

In recent years, the English translation of internet buzzwords has been explored from various theoretical perspectives, including Skopos Theory (Pan, 2019), Nida’s Equivalence Theory (Chen, 2021), Intercultural Communication theory (Liu&WuYun, 2022), Catford’s Translation Shift Theory (Ji&Chen, 2022), Cognitive Linguistics (Peng, 2023), Memetics (Wang&Guo, 2024), and Newmark’s Translation Theory (Hu&Huang, 2024). However, from the perspective of postmodernism, there has been a relative paucity of scholarly research on the Chinese-to-English translation of internet buzzwords that employs the framework of embodied-cognitive translation studies. Wang (2023, p.133) refined cognitive linguistics into “Embodied Cognitive Linguistics (ECL)”, with its core principle summarized as “reality-cognition-language.” This framework posits that language arises from the “embodiment (interactive experience)” and “cognition (cognitive processing)” of reality. It underscores the foundational role of Marxist materialism in linguistic research, where “reality” serves as the basis for both “cognition” and “language”, and language is a result of embodiment and cognition. Languages around the world share commonalities while also exhibiting differences. The similarities stem from our exposure to the same or similar realities, along with the shared structure and function of human bodies, which provide a uniform foundation for “embodiment”. Conversely, the differences arise from variations in subjective initiative and cognitive processing, reflecting diverse “cognition”.

Translation, therefore, involves uncovering the mechanisms of “embodiment” and “cognition” underlying languages, which constitutes the fundamental principle of embodied translation studies (Wang, 2024). Internet buzzwords emerge from interactive experiences within online environments, encompassing frequently used terms, phrases, or expressions that resonate with users, reflect current social hot topics, popular culture, and people’s emotional attitudes. Translating internet buzzwords entails grounding these “real-life experiences”, cognitively processing them, and then rendering them into forms that align with the cognitive patterns of the target language. In summary, the translation of internet buzzwords involves cognitively processing these expressions based on “real-life experiences” and then rendering them in a way that aligns with the cognitive patterns of the target language. For instance, the internet buzzword “躺平（Tang Ping）”, yields the following translations through ChatGPT3.5, “Lying flat” “Take it easy” “Refuse to conform” “Passive resistance”.

The primary meaning of “躺平” refers to an individual’s choice to refrain from excessively pursuing material success and social status in the face of intense societal competition, work pressure, and the stress of daily life. Instead, they opt for a lifestyle characterized by passive resistance—choosing to “lie down” (i.e., ceasing to strive or work hard). In short, it is about “dissolving external environmental constraints on individuals in one’s own way”. 

In terms of imagery, the conceptual schema evoked by “躺平” can invoke corresponding experiential associations in readers and aid in understanding its meaning; however, a literal translation as “Lying flat” fails to convey its deeper implications. On the other hand, the latter three translations—“Take it easy” “Refuse to conform” and “Passive resistance”—capture various aspects of the underlying meaning of “躺平”, but they lack the vividness that conveys the full image of the concept.

Therefore, this paper suggests adopting a combination of literal and interpretative translation methods for this term. By doing so, not only does it ensure English-speaking readers understand the true meaning behind “躺平”, but it also retains the vivid and expressive quality of the term. A possible translation could be “to lie flat as a form of passive resistance”, which balances both the literal meaning and the nuanced cultural context, providing a more comprehensive and lively expression of the original concept. 

3 An Embodied-Cognitive Analysis of the English Translation of Internet Buzzwords

A possible translation could be “to lie flat as a form of passive resistance”, which balances This paper selects the 10 internet buzzwords announced by YaoWen-JiaoZi (2024) in 2023 as the research subjects. YaoWen-JiaoZi is a magazine which annually selects network buzzwords that reflect societal hot topics and capture public psychological cognition based on the “social value” and “linguistic value” of language. According to the core principles of embodied-cognitive linguistics, language originates from the interactive perception and cognitive processing of reality. Translation, therefore, is a mapping-construction between the three elements of two sets of principles, as illustrated in the following diagram (Wang, 2017),

Translation is not merely a superficial conversion between languages; it inevitably involves the deep-seated realities and cognition underlying different languages. As shown in the figure, the arrow between the “reality” of Chinese and English is thickened, underscoring not only that “reality” serves as the foundation for language translation but also highlighting the materialist perspective of Marxism.

Below is a detailed analysis of the English translations of the ten internet buzzwords. The analysis will delve into how each term reflects the embodied experiences and cognitive processes of internet users, and how these can be effectively conveyed in English while maintaining the original meaning and cultural resonance. Through this approach, we aim to explore new methods for translating internet buzzwords that are both linguistically accurate and culturally relevant.

3.1 Formally, Balancing Literal and Free Translation

The translator’s embodiment-cognition is first reflected in the recognition and interpretation of the original text’s form and content. After thoroughly understanding the deeper meaning of the source text, the translator should leverage their subjective initiative to transform the source language into the target language in a way that aligns with the reading habits of the target audience (Zhang&Li, 2024). This process requires a delicate balance between literal and free translation, ensuring that the formal aspects of the original text are preserved while also making the translation accessible and meaningful to readers in the target culture.

In practice, this means that the translator must not only convey the explicit information contained in the source text but also capture its underlying cultural and contextual nuances. By doing so, the translated work can effectively communicate the intended message while resonating with the target readership, thereby achieving both fidelity to the original and fluency in the target language. There are seven internet buzzwords in 2023 that need to be literally or freely translated.

Terms Suitable for Literal Translation

新质生产力（Xin Zhi Sheng Chan Li）

During his inspection tour of Heilongjiang Province in September 2023, President Xi Jinping first introduced the concept of “新质生产力” (new quality productive force). This term represents a specific manifestation of modern productive forces, which, compared to traditional ones, exhibits a higher level of technology, superior quality, significantly enhanced efficiency, and stronger sustainability. It marks a new phase in the development of productive forces, underscoring the importance of scientific innovation and high-quality development. Translation given by ChatGPT is, “New qualitative productive force”, which accurately reflects the components: “新(new)” “质 (qualitative)” “生产 (productive)” and “力(force)”. As long as the speakers of source and target language can directly find corresponding words in their cognition to reflect their real-life experience, the method of direct translation can be used. The following words can also be analyzed in this way.

人工智能大模型（Ren Gong Zhi Neng Da Mo Xing）

On November 30, 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT, an AI dialogue system that demonstrates outstanding natural language processing capabilities and can generate high-quality textual content. The term “人工智能大模型”  is appropriately translated by ChatGPT as “Artificial Intelligence Large Model”, where “人工智能” corresponds to “Artificial Intelligence (AI)” and “大模型” to “Large Model”.

村超（Cun Chao）

“村超” is a colloquial abbreviation for a grassroots football super league organized spontaneously by a local community in Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province (Sanbao Dong Village) on May 13, 2023. Due to its strong rural characteristics, netizens affectionately named it “村超,” highlighting its unique rural cultural background. AI translates it literally as “Village Super League,” with “Village” corresponding to “村” and “Super League” to “超”.

情绪价值（Qing Xu Jia Zhi）

Originally a marketing concept, “情绪价值” (emotional value) now describes interpersonal relationships, referring to the ability to bring about all positive feelings and evoke positive emotions. In English, this can be expressed as “Emotional（情绪） Value（价值）” or “Sentimental Impact”.

质疑（Zhi Yi）××, 理解（Li Jie）××, 成为（Cheng Wei） ××

This internet buzzwords phrase expresses a process from questioning, understanding to accepting or becoming a certain role, where “××” typically refers to a noun. It can be directly translated into English as,

 “Question（质疑） ××, understand（理解） ××and become（成为） ××”.

特种兵式旅游（Te Zhong Bing Shi Lü You）

Describing travel using “特种兵式” (special forces style) means leveraging the distinctive features of special forces to empower a particular mode of travel. Simply put, it involves visiting as many tourist attractions as possible in the most efficient way during weekends or holidays. In English, this can be translated as,

“Special Forces style travel” or “commando-style tourism”.

In each case, the literal translation not only preserves the original meaning but also ensures clarity and relevance in the target language, making it suitable for international audiences while maintaining fidelity to the source text.

Term Requiring a Balance of Literal and Free Translation

多巴胺（Duo Ba An）××

“多巴胺” is a phonetic translation of the English word “Dopamine”, which refers to a neurotransmitter critical for maintaining human health and happiness. Over time, it has acquired a metaphorical meaning as a “happiness factor”, commonly used to describe things or activities that bring about feelings of pleasure, excitement, or satisfaction. The term “××” typically denotes a noun; for example, “多巴胺景区（Duo Ba An Jing Qu）” does not imply that the area is literally filled with dopamine but rather that visitors entering this scenic area experience an uplift in mood, leading to the secretion of dopamine. This concept can be translated by AI as,

“Dopamine-inducing ××” or “Dopamine-triggering ××”.

Here, the terms “inducing” and “triggering” emphasize the notion of elicitation, making the translation more precise and aiding readers in deeply understanding its implications. This approach ensures that the translated phrase accurately conveys the original meaning while being readily comprehensible to an English-speaking audience. By using “inducing” or “triggering”, the translation highlights the cause-and-effect relationship between the activity or environment and the emotional response it provokes, thereby preserving the intended meaning and cultural nuance of the original Chinese expression.

3.2 Semantically, considering the adaptation of Cultural Context

From the perspective of embodied-cognitive translation studies, “the translation process involves the translator thoroughly understanding the original text’s meaning, employing various experiential methods to map it into the target language, and then using a creative imitation mechanism to construct and express this meaning, ultimately forming the translated text (Wang, 2021).” Therefore, deep semantic understanding is fundamental in the translation process, with the essence of translation being the equivalent transformation of meaning between different languages. When necessary, translators may adopt a “form-for-function” approach to adapt to the ecological environment of the target language.

For example:

显眼包（Xian Yan Bao）

The term “显眼包” is a neutral word used to describe individuals or objects that stand out due to their appearance or personality traits. It can refer not only to people but also to things that distinguish themselves from others within the same category. For instance, animals in a zoo that are particularly lively and entertaining might be called “显眼包”. Here, “包（Bao）” originates from Chinese dialects, often appended to verbs or adjectives to denote someone or something with certain characteristics. Using ChatGPT for translation yields terms like, “Eye-catching bag” “Show-off bag” “Attention-grabbing bag”.

While the adjectives in these phrases partially capture the essence of “显眼包”, they inaccurately suggest that the subject is literally a “bag”, highlighting the limitations of AI in fully replacing human translators. To facilitate more effective comprehension by English readers, this paper recommends adopting a “form-for-function” approach, emphasizing the core attributes of being “attention-grabbing” or “eye-catching”. Suitable translations could include, “the eye-catching one” “the attention-grabbing one”. Alternatively, using relative clauses or direct verbs can convey the intended meaning clearly. For example, “He is a person who likes to grab attention” or “He likes to grab attention”.

This method ensures that the translation effectively conveys the cultural and contextual nuances of the original term while maintaining clarity and relevance for the target audience. By focusing on the cultural aspects rather than literal form, the translation achieves both accuracy and naturalness in the target language.

3.3 Functionally, Ensuring the Effectiveness of Cross-Cultural Communication

Beyond the transformation of linguistic form and meaning, embodied-cognitive linguistics also emphasizes the functional conversion in translation. According to Vermeer (1987), translation is an act of cross-cultural communication, with its ultimate goal being the successful facilitation of this exchange. Therefore, when translating, it is essential to consider the specific genre of the text and the intended audience, selecting the most appropriate translation strategies and methods based on the purpose of the translation and the function of the text.

双向奔赴（Shuang Xiang Ben Fu）

The term “双向奔赴” refers to relevant parties working together towards a shared objective. In practical usage, “双向奔赴” extends beyond person-to-person interactions to encompass cities, countries, and other entities, broadening its scope continuously. ChatGPT3.5 provides two translations for “双向奔赴”, “Mutual pursuit” and “Mutual effort toward a common goal”.

Each translation has its emphasis. The first, “Mutual pursuit”, focuses on the mutual aspect, highlighting cooperation and reciprocity. The second, “Mutual effort toward a common goal”, underscores the collaborative efforts made by both parties toward a shared objective, emphasizing not only the mutual aspect but also the common goal. These different translations evoke distinct emotional responses and cognitive emphases from readers. Therefore, translators should choose the most suitable translation based on the intended focus and purpose to effectively achieve cross-cultural communication.

搭子（Da Zi）

The term “搭子” refers to a popular social practice among young people where different activities or topics have different companions—a relatively casual and informal concept. For instance, “旅游搭子” (travel companion), “饭搭子” (dining buddy), etc. Artificial intelligence suggests several English translations,

“Companion” “Buddy” “Partner”.

For example, “旅游搭子（Lü You Da Zi）” can be translated as “Travel partner”. Here, “Companion” and “Partner” carry a more formal tone, whereas “Buddy” conveys a more casual and informal relationship. Choosing the appropriate translation based on different social contexts can better align with the intended audience’s experience and achieve the desired communicative effect.

In summary, Even synonyms can have cognitive nuances that stem from an individual’s specific life circumstances and experiences. Ensuring the effectiveness of cross-cultural communication in translation requires careful consideration of the text’s function and the target audience’s expectations. By adopting the most suitable translation strategies, translators can bridge cultural gaps and facilitate meaningful exchanges between languages and cultures.

4 Conclusions

The translation of internet buzzwords plays a crucial role in achieving cross-cultural communication. From the perspective of embodied-cognitive translation studies, this paper offers a new viewpoint—that is, translation is from the “embodiment-cognition” in the source language to the “embodiment-cognition” in the target language.

Moreover, regarding the question of whether artificial intelligence will replace human translators, the answer derived from this study is negative. Even advanced AI systems can produce translations that fail to fully capture the intended meaning. while AI provides valuable tools for translation, the nuanced understanding and creative adaptation required for translating internet buzzwords highlight the irreplaceable role of human translators in ensuring accurate and culturally resonant translations. This paper thus contributes to the ongoing dialogue on the integration of technology and human expertise in the field of translation.

This paper acknowledges its limitations, having focused solely on internet buzzwords from 2023. Future research could explore the general patterns of translating internet buzzwords or conduct comparative translation studies from the perspective of embodied-cognitive translation studies. Such endeavors would contribute to a deeper understanding of how to effectively bridge cultural gaps and facilitate meaningful exchanges between languages and cultures. 

References

[1] 陈旭. (2021). 奈达的对等理论及其在网络流行语翻译中的应用. 今古文创 (41), 106-107.

[2] 胡朦朦 & 黄广芳. (2024). 纽马克翻译理论视阈中网络流行语英译策略研究. 湖北工业大学学报 (03), 76-79+108.

[3] 吉剑阳 & 陈惠梅. (2022). 卡特福德翻译转换理论视角下网络流行语的英译研究. 作家天地 (17), 119-121.

[4] 刘沛瑶 & 乌云高娃. (2022). 跨文化交际视角下网络流行语归化与异化英译策略研究. 校园英语 (37), 186-188.

[5] 潘芮莹. (2019). 目的论视角下网络流行语的英译方法. 校园英语 (50), 237-238.

[6] 彭佳. (2023). 从认知语言学视角解析——2022年网络流行语的隐喻汉英翻译. 汉字文化 (20), 160-162.

[7] 王艳辉 & 郭译丹. (2024). 模因论视角下汉语网络流行语的英译. 现代英语 (03), 118-120.

[8] 王寅. (2023). 从翻译的认知观、认知翻译学到体认翻译学. 语言教育 (04), 72-80.

[9] 王寅. (2017). 基于认知语言学的翻译过程新观. 中国翻译 (06), 5-10+17+129.

[10] 王寅(2021). 《体认翻译学》. 北京：北京大学出版社.

[11] 王寅. (2024). 体认翻译学：回顾与展望. 翻译研究与教学 (01), 56-62.

[12] 王寅. (2023). 体认翻译学在歇后语英译中的应用——以《红楼梦》三译本中歇后语为例. 中国翻译 (05), 133-139.

[13] 张凌 & 李星宇. (2024). 《习近平谈治国理政》英译的体认解析. 翻译研究与教学 (02), 16-22.

[14] (2024). 《咬文嚼字》编辑部发布”2023年十大流行语”. 作文 (03), 63-64.

[15] Vermeer, H. (1987). What does it mean to translate? Indian Journal of Applied Linguistic. New Dehli: Bagri Publication, 13(2),25-33.