East Asian Translation Visiting Scholar Testimonials

XU Yuanyuan

I’m a lecturer at Xihua University in Chengdu, China. I was in Leeds from 3 January to 3 July 2024, and Prof. Martin Ward was my host and mentor. During my time at the University of Leeds, I had numerous academic exchanges with teachers and classmates. In June 2024, Prof. Martin Ward organised the COIL Showcase: Get Inspired: Using COIL+ to Internationalise Your Teaching, an initiative that not only introduced me to the current state of international education at the University of Leeds but also sparked a deep reflection on international education in my department and at Xihua University.

Furthermore, with the assistance and guidance of Prof. Martin Ward, I delivered a lecture titled Translating Sanxingdui: Challenges and Opportunities, which was well-received by both teachers and students. These exchange activities broadened my academic horizons while also deepening my understanding of translation practice and theory. Meanwhile, I went to the "Poetry Translation Lunch," which Austin Woerner hosted on a regular basis to discuss Chinese-English poetry translation. These discussions and collaborations with the students here taught me to look at problems from different angles, which improved my translation and critical thinking skills and helped me better understand today's young generation.

I also had the privilege of attending courses taught by many excellent professors, such as Prof. Martin Ward and Austin Woerner. Their lectures were rich in content and highly inspiring, greatly benefiting my academic and professional abilities. The courses I attended covered various aspects of translation practice and theory. Through these courses, I gained an in-depth understanding of the latest developments in translation theory and acquired more practical translation skills. The teaching methods were diverse, including theoretical explanations and practical case analyses, which allowed me to closely integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application.

My time as a visiting scholar at Leeds was very crucial for my academic career and will continue to be important for my future research and profession. The University of Leeds is more than simply a place to study. It's also an enjoyable place that brings people from all over the world together and stimulates fresh ideas. It gives visiting scholars an experience that goes above and beyond what you may expect, whether you're looking for new scientific discoveries, a wider vision of the world, or experiences with people from different cultures.

YAN Yuan

I am an associate professor in translation studies at Jinling Institute of Technology, China. My time as a visiting scholar at the University of Leeds from January to July 2025 was a rewarding and enriching experience. During this period, I conducted research on the English translation and dissemination of a contemporary Chinese novel. Thanks to the support of my host and mentor, Professor Martin Ward, and the assistance of other colleagues at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, this research was able to proceed smoothly.

I also engaged in various academic activities in this vibrant academic community. I took some translation classes, which greatly broadened my vision in the field of translation studies. To gain a deep understanding of the translation and dissemination of contemporary Chinese literature in the English-speaking world, I participated in many lectures, workshops and seminars hosted by The Leeds Centre for New Chinese Writing, where I met some distinguished writers, poets, translators and researchers whose insights enlightened me significantly.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend the 11th EST Congress and give a presentation at the 1st EATPA Symposium on East Asian Translation Pedagogy at the university, both of which enabled me to stay abreast of the latest developments of translation studies in the context of technological progress, cognitive science development and social change. I am grateful for this invaluable opportunity. These experiences enriched my academic perspective and expanded my professional network.