Article published In: Cognitive space: Exploring the situational interface:
Edited by Maureen Ehrensberger-Dow and Birgitta Englund Dimitrova
[Translation Spaces 5:1] 2016
► pp. 38–58
Translate live to generate new knowledge
A case study of an activist translation project
Published online: 20 October 2016
https://doi.org/10.1075/ts.5.1.03zho
https://doi.org/10.1075/ts.5.1.03zho
This paper discusses findings of an investigation into the real-life practice of Yuan Tianpeng, a new-generation translator whose work, based on Robert’s Rules of Order, involved translating live as well as publishing a translation. This investigation adopted a qualitative method and analyzed both first-hand and second-hand data, focusing on how Yuan delivered live translation, what strategies he used, and especially how he and his target audiences engaged in the co-production of new knowledge required to drive urgently needed social changes in China. The investigation found that Yuan’s practice constituted a distinct new mode of translation, which is called ‘live translation’ in this paper. In the light of recent development of translation theories, this new mode of translation constitutes an interesting case study for exploring the interface between cognitive and situational levels of translation.
References (36)
Baker, Mona. 2006a. “Translation and Activism: Emerging Patterns of Narrative Community.” The Massachusetts Review 47 (3): 462–484.
Berghaus, Günter. 1995. “Happenings in Europe: Trends, Events and Leading Figures.” In Happenings and Other Acts, edited by Mariellen R. Sandford, 263–328. Oxford: Routledge.
Chao, Yuen Ren. 1969. “Dimensions of Fidelity in Translation with Special Reference to Chinese.” Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies 291: 109–130.
Chen, Tongkui. 2007. “Xiang Luobote Xue Kaihui” [Learn to assemble like Robert]. Xinmin [New People] Weekly 30 (July 27–August 2). Accessed April 8, 2014: [URL].
Hall, Stuart. 1981. “Encoding/Decoding in Television Discourse.” In Culture, Media, Language, edited by Stuart Hall, Dorothy Hobson, Andrew Lowe, and Paul Willis, 128–38. London: Hutchinson.
. 1997. Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. London: Sage Publications.
Hartmann, Reinhard R.K., and Francis C. Stork. 1972. Dictionary of Language and Linguistics. London: Longman.
He, Xianxue. 2008. “Robert’s Rules of Order.” China Value. Accessed November 12, 2014. [URL].
Jakobson, Roman. 1959/2000. “On Linguistic Aspects of Translation.” In The Translation Studies Reader, edited by Lawrence Venuti, 113–18. New York: Routledge.
Milton, John. 2006. “The Resistant Political Translations of Monteiro Lobato.” Massachusetts Review 47 (31): 485–509.
Monaghan, John, and Peter Just. 2000. Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Morrissey, Charles T. 1998. “On Oral History Interviewing.” In The Oral History Reader, edited by Robert Perks and Alistair Thomson, 107–113. London: Routledge.
Munday, Jeremy. 2001. Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications. London and New York: Routledge.
Nantangdiaochatuan. 2014. “Guanyu Noncun Jiceng Zizhi Zuzhi de Anli Yanjiu” [A case of self-autonomy at rural grass-root organizations]. Accessed April 8, 2016: [URL].
Reiss, Katharina, and Hans J. Vermeer. 1984. Grundlegung einer allgemeinen Translationstheorie. Tübingen: Niemeyer.
Robert, Henry M. 1995. Yishi Guize [Rules of Order]. Translated by Hongchang Wang. Beijing: Commercial Press.
. 2008. Luobote Yishi Guize [Robert’s rules of order]. Translated by Yuan, Tianpeng, and Di Sun. Beijing: Gezhi Publishing House of Century.
Roy, Cynthia. 1993. “The Problem with Definitions, Descriptions and the Role Metaphors of Interpreters.” Journal of Interpretation 6 (11): 127–154.
Shang, Xiaoyan, and Ilan Katz. 2014. “Missing Elements in the Protection of Children: Three Cases from China.” Journal of Social Service Research 40 (41): 545–559.
Shattuck, Harriette R. 1891. The Women’s Manual of Parliamentary Law. Boston: Lee and Shepard Publishers.
Slaughter, Jim. 2005. “Parliamentary Procedure in the 21st Century: Updated from ‘Parliamentary Procedure in 2005’ in the 2005 The Toastmaster Magazine”. Accessed September 28, 2015: [URL]
Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. 1992. “The Politics of Translation”. In Destabilizing Theory, edited by Michele Barrett and Anne Phillips, 177–200. Oxford: Polity Press.
Sun, Di, and Rongqing Zheng. 2007. Yishi Guize Daoyin – Gongsi Zhili de Caozuoxing Jishi [Introduction of rules of discussion – handbook of company administration]. Shanghai: People’s Publishing House.
Tymoczko, Maria (ed.). 2010. Translation, Resistance, Activism. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press.
Vermeer, Hans J. 1989/2000. “Skopos and Commission in Translational Action.” In The Translation Studies Reader, edited by Lawrence Venuti, 221–232. New York: Routledge.
Zhai, Minglei. 2009. “Luobote Yishi Guize de Nantang Shiyan—Rang Cunminmen Xuexi Luobote Yishi Guize, Xuexi Minzhu Bianlun yu Bioajue” [Robert’s rules of order Trialed in Nantang – Helping Villagers Study Robert’s rules of order and Learn to Debate and Vote Democratically]. Nanfang Zhoumo [Nanfang Weekend] April 2. Accessed April 8, 2016: [URL].
Zhong, Yong. 2005. “Plan-Based Translation Assessment: An Alternative to the Standard-Based Cut-the-Feet-to-Fit-the-Shoes Style of Assessment.” Meta 50 (4).
. 2006. “Assessing Translators vs Assessing Translations: Discussions and A Case Demonstration.” Translation Ireland (Special Issue: new Vistas in Translator and Interpreter Training) 17 (11): 151–170.
. 2014a. “Education Investment and Underdevelopment: An Atypical Case Study of a Typical Underdeveloped Chinese Village.” Rural Education 2 (11): 7–32.
Cited by (1)
Cited by one other publication
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 6 december 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.
