On the Underlying Logic of Translating Chinese Texts on Emergency Management into English in the AI Context

Abstract

The advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era has fundamentally transformed the production, translation, and dissemination of Chinese texts on emergency management, necessitating a comprehensive reevaluation of their characteristics, translation standards, and underlying logic. This paper systematically examines the key features of emergency management texts in the AI context, where traditional textual characteristics intersect with technological advancements to create new communicative paradigms. Through a multidisciplinary analysis drawing from translation studies, information science, and emergency management theory, we identify three core dimensions of contemporary emergency management texts: informational (characterized by real-time dynamism, uncertainty, and multi-modal data integration), functional (encompassing directive, informative, appellative, and coordinating functions), and linguistic (featuring specialized terminology, formulaic structures, and conciseness). Building upon these characteristics, we propose a tripartite set of translation standards prioritizing accuracy and consistency, clarity and operationalizability, and adaptability and human-AI collaboration. Furthermore, we delineate the underlying logic informing translation decisions through the integrated lenses of functionalist translation theory, information theory, and practice of emergency management. The paper argues that high-quality translation of emergency management texts in the AI era requires a sophisticated framework that leverages technological advancements while maintaining rigorous theoretical foundations, with particular emphasis on context-aware human expertise complementing AI capabilities. This comprehensive analysis contributes to the development of more effective, reliable, and theoretically informed practices in translating Chinese texts on emergency management, ultimately supporting enhanced cross-cultural communication during the whole cycle of emergency management.