China-Japan Classic Literature Shared Reading Assisted by AI: A Case Study of The True Story of Ah Q and I Am a Cat

Abstract

Against the backdrop of contemporary globalization, cross-cultural communication between China and Japan has become increasingly frequent. However, current Chinese-Japanese language teaching and learning predominantly focus on vocabulary and grammar, with insufficient attention paid to the cross-cultural analysis and exchange of classic literary works. Traditional cultural exchanges between the two countries have largely operated as one-way output, lacking genuine bilateral interaction. This project adopts a "shared reading" approach, in which Chinese and Japanese students read translated versions of each other's literary classics, thereby engaging in cross-cultural communication from the dual perspectives of readers and translators. Using Lu Xun's The True Story of Ah Q and Natsume Sōseki's I Am a Cat as examples, the project implements shared reading sessions and analyzes the two books' translations from three dimensions: language, culture, and style. The research reveals that while the translations exhibit certain problems — such as the loss of colloquial tone, simplification of culture-specific terms, and weakening of satirical style — both works nevertheless resonate with participants in their critique of human nature. The China-Japan shared reading model, to some extent, breaks through the limitations of traditional cultural exchange, fostering equal dialogue between the two countries' classic literary traditions. It can serve as a reference for cross-cultural activities in higher education.