International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology, 2026, 8(2); doi: 10.25236/IJFS.2026.080210.
Chengzhen Meng
School of Foreign Languages, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
Structural asymmetries in the global cultural communication order place China in a profound tension between its economic strength and its capacity for cultural narration. This paper extends the concept of 'sovereignty' from territorial and cultural dimensions to the narrative dimension, proposing and constructing the analytical concept of 'narrative sovereignty' to elucidate a state's ability to autonomously define, produce and disseminate its own narratives within the international public sphere, thereby securing legitimate recognition for its framework of meaning. To explore pathways for reclaiming narrative sovereignty, this paper proposes the 'Into Foreign Language Musical (IFLM) Adaptation' paradigm. Guided by the principle of 'putting ourselves first', this paradigm involves the creative adaptation of outstanding Chinese cultural works, aiming to achieve a qualitative leap in communication effectiveness---from semantic translation to the reconfiguration of interpretative frameworks. This paper constructs a triple theoretical analytical framework comprising constructivist international relations theory, postcolonial theory and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), providing a methodological foundation for IFLM transformation. Concurrently, based on SPSS multivariate logistic regression analysis, this paper constructs a "three-tier classification model of cultural works", offering empirical evidence for the strategic positioning of IFLM transformation. Taking The Wrath of the Sky---the multilingual musical adaptation of The Monkey King---as the core case study, this paper systematically verifies the effectiveness of IFLM transformation in safeguarding production autonomy, redefining framework authority, and expanding dissemination channels across three dimensions: textual, discursive, and socio-cultural practices. It thereby provides a systematic pathway for the international dissemination of Chinese culture that combines theoretical innovation with practical feasibility.
narrative sovereignty; IFLM transformation; cross-cultural communication; critical discourse analysis; frame reconfiguration; The Wrath of the Sky
Chengzhen Meng. Innovation in the Paradigm of International Dissemination of Chinese Culture from the Perspective of Narrative Sovereignty—Taking the IFLM Adaptation of the Multilingual Musical Wrath of the Sky as a Case Study. International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 2: 76-84. https://doi.org/10.25236/IJFS.2026.080210.
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