Abstract: Yan Fu, who translated eight major social science works into Chinese, is not only known as a prominent figure in "the spread of Western learning to the East" but also profoundly influential in modern Chinese translation studies for proposing "faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance", which has been canonised as the criteria of translation even since. However, it is rarely mentioned in translation studies that before translating Western knowledge and proposing "faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance", Yan Fu, as one of the first Chinese students studying in the UK, had actually translated a political commentary on Sino-British relations from The Times in 1878. That translation had also been very influential as an important document about Sino-British relations at the time, which revealed […]

Abstract: In 1816, Lord Byron travelled to Switzerland with his physician John William Polidori. In Geneva they met Percy Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin and her stepsister Claire Clairmont. During one of the group’s evenings at the Villa Diodati, Byron challenged his friends: “We will each write a ghost story”. Mary Shelley would start Frankenstein, and Polidori, influenced by the challenge, would later write his novella The Vampyre. The young author also kept a journal of the voyage which would only be published in 1911. This paper deals with the author’s description of the trip, the group’s social gatherings in Geneva and with the identity of a mysterious Portuguese lady and her daughters whom Polidori met at the Countess of Bruce’s […]

Abstract: Societies evolve based on the questions they pose, and the same holds for utopian imagination. Over the past two decades, Utopian Studies has expanded through insights from emerging fields. When intersecting with Food Studies, the focus shifts to how societies can progress through the lens of food—examining sustainable and equitable production, distribution, and preparation. In dialogue with Spatiality Studies, particularly in the context of dystopias, emphasis is placed on material, social, and mental spaces and the body as a space—each serving as a site of resistance and signalling the possibility of a "light at the end of the tunnel." Meanwhile, as a research methodology, Digital Humanities unveils patterns that offer fresh perspectives. These interdisciplinary intersections generate new research questions, […]

Abstract: The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the translation industry, making human-machine collaboration the new standard. In this new landscape, both translation education models and the working methods of translators must evolve to meet emerging demands. This lecture will explore two key areas: firstly, the reform and expansion of translator training programs, and secondly, the critical importance of the translator's "attitude positioning" ("態度定位"). Establishing a clear stance is crucial for every translator engaged in international communication and represents the core value of human translation itself. Through case studies and examples, the lecture will offer insights for practitioners and students, helping them navigate the opportunities of the AI era while upholding professional integrity and becoming competent language service […]

Abstract: Professor Zhong views interpreting as both a technique and an art. Drawing on extensive experience as both a practitioner and educator, he will explore the interplay between technical skill and artistry in the field. The discussion will focus on how interpreters, in practice, leverage their skills, techniques, and linguistic abilities to navigate dilemmas, resolve difficulties, achieve communicative goals, and successfully complete their assignments.   Speaker Biography: Professor Zhong is a leading figure in interpreting and translation studies, language service studies, and foreign language education. He is celebrated as a pioneer and advocate for professional education in translation and interpreting, having played a key role in establishing degree programmes such as the Bachelor of Translation and Interpreting (BTI), Master of […]