Cultural Authenticity and Cross-Cultural Adaptation: The Untold Story of Yeh-Shen, the Chinese Cinderella

• In Event: Multicultural/Multiethnic Education: Critical Perspectives

Abstract

As a branch of the multicultural literature, folklore presents a special opportunity for readers to expand their horizon and knowledge. The researcher takes a closer look at the genre of folklore and uses one of the most well known folktales—the Cinderella story as the main focus of the study. It closely examines the two text versions in Yeh-Shen, the Chinese Cinderella (Louie, 1996) for the purpose of unveiling issues of cultural authenticity involved in adapting literature from one culture to another. The implications from this study suggest that literacy researchers need strategically collaborate with many others including authors, illustrators, editors, publishers, pre- and in-service teachers, parents, and students to achieve the goal of presenting culturally authentic multicultural literature.

Author

• Xiaoning Chen, SUNY - College at Fredonia