Leo Tak-hung Chan (translation scholar)

TL;DR

Translation studies in Hong Kong have seen significant growth, with two dedicated translation departments and multiple universities offering translation programs.

Transcript

leo what what do you do in hong kong okay well um as head of the translation department of uh lingard university i have a lot of administrative duties but in addition to that i teach three courses every year most of the time is translation theory uh translation project supervision and then a course on literature and translation i teach students som... Read More

Key Insights

• 🇭🇰 Hong Kong has two dedicated translation departments, making it one of the major hubs for translation studies in East Asia.
• 🇭🇰 Other universities in Hong Kong also offer translation programs within their language and linguistics departments.
• 🇭🇰 Mainland Chinese students often come to Hong Kong to pursue translation degrees due to the established training and access to research materials in English.
• 🇭🇰 Translation studies in Hong Kong follow the translation studies approach, covering various areas such as technology, criticism, and literature.
• 👨‍🔬 The speaker's research focuses on the role of translation in democratization and as a means for accessing knowledge outside of one's own language.
• 🌉 The speaker highlights the challenges of learning a foreign language and emphasizes the importance of translation as a bridge between languages.
• 🇭🇰 Translation studies in Hong Kong have contributed to the dissemination of research materials and ideas in mainland China, driving the development of translation training programs.

Questions & Answers

Q: How many translation departments are there in Hong Kong?

There are two translation departments in Hong Kong, which offer various courses in translation theory, project supervision, and literature and translation.

Q: Are there any other universities in Hong Kong that offer translation programs?

Yes, other universities in Hong Kong have language and linguistics departments that offer translation programs within their curriculum.

Q: Is translation studies only limited to translation departments in Hong Kong?

No, there is significant translation training happening in other departments, such as languages and linguistics, where students can gain adequate knowledge in translation.

Q: What is the focus of the translation program in Hong Kong?

The translation program in Hong Kong follows the translation studies approach, aiming to offer a wide range of courses and knowledge in various areas, including technology, translation criticism, and more.

Q: How did the speaker get into translation studies?

The speaker pursued a language degree and then went on to do a diploma in translation. In those days, there were no degree programs in translation, so a language degree was considered adequate.

Q: What is the speaker's area of expertise in translation studies?

The speaker specializes in literary translation and has published works on various topics, including translated fiction, Chinese classical tales, and the dissemination of Chinese future school translation overseas.

Q: Is there a connection between translation studies in Hong Kong and mainland China?

Yes, mainland Chinese students often come to Hong Kong to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in translation due to the better training and access to research materials in English.

Q: What kind of research is needed in translation studies?

The speaker believes that there is a need for research beyond textual study and comparison of source and target texts. They are interested in exploring the new role of translation in a world where English has become the global language and its potential for democratization.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• There are two translation departments in Hong Kong, which offer a wide range of courses in translation theory, project supervision, and literature and translation.

• In addition to dedicated translation departments, other universities in Hong Kong also offer translation programs within their language and linguistics departments.

• Hong Kong serves as a hub for translation studies in East Asia, attracting students from mainland China and contributing to the dissemination of translation research in the region.