CLD Café: Lost and Found – Defying the Challenges of Chinese in Translation

Translation and interpreting professionals work to bridge the gap in language and culture, but some concepts defy direct translation. In Chinese-to-English translation and interpreting, beyond idioms and cultural references, there are structural, tonal, and contextual nuances that require reformulation to convey the intended meaning naturally. Being able to convey these nuances gives the human linguist an edge in an era of increasing competition with artificial intelligence. This session will explore key challenges faced by translators and interpreters when encountering these nuanced elements in Chinese and propose practical strategies to navigate the complexities while maintaining fidelity and idiomaticity in English translations.