Event Highlights

The Professional Committee of Translation and Interpreting (PCTI) of the China Association for Comparative Studies of English and Chinese (CACSEC) hosted the 2024 High-Level Forum at the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) from May 1st to May 5th. Our Center Director, Dr. Ping-Hui Liao, also served as the chair and welcomed the scholars to UC San Diego for this Conference. The symposium, co-sponsored by UC San Diego and co-organized by Translation Research and Teaching, City University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Audio Description Studies Association, aimed to promote academic exchange and international research dissemination in translation and interpreting.

Experts and scholars from around the globe convened to discuss various topics under the theme "Translation Communication and Intercultural Studies." The symposium covered a wide range of subjects, including Chinese and English comparison, cognitive interpreting, international communication of translation and interpreting, and the profession and ethics of translation and interpreting. Additionally, the event delved into audio description and translation studies, digital and applied translation, and translation teaching in the context of COVID-19.

The symposium not only showcased the latest research and developments in translation and interpreting but also facilitated discussions on the translation of Chinese culture and classics into English, as well as the history of Chinese and foreign translators. Overall, the event proved to be a valuable platform for fostering international collaboration and advancing knowledge in translation and intercultural studies.

UC San Diego's Center for Taiwan Studies and Craft Center have collaborated on 4/30 for Boba National Day. Led by Cyrus Paul Liu, the event demonstrated and presented the history, impact, and culture that bubble tea created, furthering the conversation of Taiwanese culture and identity. Additionally, boba milk tea was created right on the spot, serving the taste of Taiwan to the individuals who attended the event.

On April 27, the San Diego Formosa Association of Student Culture Ambassadors (FASCA) under Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) conducted an exchange visit with the Center for Taiwan Studies and Taiwanese seniors at the University of California, San Diego on the UC San Diego campus, with a total of 17 Youth Ambassadors and five UC San Diego seniors participating.

Jason Chien, a Research Associate at the UC San Diego Center for Taiwan Studies, welcomed the Youth Ambassadors and introduced the mission, history, research, and activities of the UC San Diego Center for Taiwan Studies. He said that the mission of the UC San Diego Center for Taiwan Studies is not only to improve Taiwan-US exchanges and Taiwan studies but also to encourage more students to go to Taiwan for exchange and study, to enhance Taiwan's international reputation. Jeffery Liu, the center's undergraduate researcher, arranged a guided campus tour, introduced UC San Diego's environment, architecture, and campus life functions, and designed a campus treasure hunt to allow students to develop teamwork skills through team games. He thanked the UC San Diego Center for Taiwan Studies and Taiwanese seniors for their assistance, which not only broadened the horizons of FASCA students but also introduced them to different Taiwanese organizations through cultural exchanges, which was also helpful for planning future FASCA courses and activities. Finally, Steve Hsieh (OCAC SD Advisor) and Lai Wei-Shi (San Diego FASCA President) presented gifts on behalf of FASCA, and the students also said that this event was very meaningful. Tseng Shi-Yun (OCAC SD Program Coordinator) hopes that in the future, more exchange visits will be planned to allow the trainees to exchange with other local Taiwanese organizations, promote cooperation among overseas Taiwanese groups, and cultivate the next generation of overseas Taiwanese leaders.

If you want to read the news in traditional Chinese, here is the news link:

FASCA聖地牙哥分會訪問UCSD 與臺灣研究中心及學長姐交流|北美洲 | 僑務電子報 (ocacnews.net)

Dr. Satoko Kakihara, a UC San Diego alumna from Cal State Fullerton, returned to her alma mater to share the profound inspirations behind her book "Women's Performative Writing and Identity Construction in the Japanese Empire" and her academic journey.

During her presentation, Dr. Kakihara highlighted the pivotal guidance she received from Director Liao and other literature faculty members at UC San Diego, who introduced her to the works of journalist and novelist Yang Chian-Ho 楊千鶴 and Osako Rinko 大迫侖子. These influences significantly shaped her dissertation topics, prompting deeper research and exploration into her field of study.

Originally scheduled for March to coincide with UC San Diego’s Women’s Month celebrations, we were delighted that Dr. Kakihara could reschedule and join us to share her insightful research findings and experiences. The event also featured a roundtable discussion where current literature PhD students engaged with Dr. Kakihara, gaining valuable insights into her PhD experience and her time at UC San Diego. Dr. Kakihara also shared her future project in looking into the writing and translation as negotiation in Japanese popular culture especially on web novels and light novels.

This gathering not only celebrated Dr. Kakihara’s contributions to her field but also emphasized the ongoing connection between UC San Diego and its alumni, fostering a collaborative and supportive academic environment. Her visit served as an inspiration to current students and underscored the value of mentorship and scholarly pursuit in higher education.

The Taiwanese American Community Center in San Diego recently showcased "BIG," the latest heartfelt film by celebrated Taiwanese director Wei Te-Sheng on March 9th. This narrative, centered on six children and their families battling leukemia, attracted a gathering of 300 local Taiwanese and Taiwanese Americans. The event, generously sponsored by prominent community member Warren Huang, underscored the power of cinema in conveying stories of resilience and hope.

During this special screening, April Bridges, the Senior Director of Development for UCSD's Arts & Humanities, represented Dean Coletta to extend congratulations to the UC San Diego Center for Taiwan Studies. Her presence emphasized the dean's commendation for the Center's efforts in hosting such meaningful events and its ongoing commitment to outreach within local communities and further development of the center.

Wei Te-Sheng's "BIG" is part of his larger initiative to promote and fundraise for his ambitious Taiwan Trilogy, with the director touring over 30 cities in 40 days. This film showing in San Diego highlighted not only the poignant themes of his latest work but also the collaborative spirit between the Taiwanese American community and academic institutions like UCSD, fostering a strong bond through cultural and cinematic exploration.

This gathering not only celebrated Taiwanese cinema but also marked an important moment of community engagement and support, showcasing the vital role of the UC San Diego Center for Taiwan Studies in bridging academic insights with broader community interests.

On March 8th, our center had the privilege of hosting Dr. Wendy Cheng, who captivated an audience of 30, including school representative April Bridges, with her insightful presentation on "Island X." Her exploration into the lives of Kuomintang student spies, Taiwanese American identity, and social movements. Significantly, Dr. Cheng's work not only serves as a scholarly tribute but also as a historical record of the resilience and struggles of those generations deeply impacted by these events.

A unique and heartfelt aspect of this event was Dr. Cheng bringing her mother, who has been instrumental in connecting Wendy with the individuals whose stories form the backbone of her book. This gesture underscored the book's dedication to the sacrifices and contributions of her mother's generation to Taiwan and the Taiwanese American community's historical narrative. "Island X" masterfully bridges personal tales with historical analysis, offering a vivid portrayal of how past events have shaped Taiwanese American identity.

The discussion that ensued highlighted the importance of remembering and comprehending our past to better navigate our future. This book talk not only reflected the academic community's eagerness to engage with complex historical narratives but also demonstrated our center's dedication to nurturing discussions on essential cultural and social issues.

Dr. Cheng's presentation and her book are invaluable to anyone seeking to understand the profound experiences of Taiwanese Americans during a critical historical juncture, further enriched by the personal connection and dedication to her mother's generational legacy.

The UC San Diego Center for Taiwan Studies marked the 228 Incident's anniversary with a poignant Zoom event on February 28th. Attendees explored this crucial period in Taiwan's history through the documentaries of Dalton Lu, offering a visual deep dive into the narratives of those impacted by exploring senior Taiwanese American community member Kenneth Wang’s family stories. The event featured discussions led by Director Ping-Hui Liao with prominent Taiwanese-American community leaders, including Freeman Huang, focusing on the preservation of historical memory across various platforms.

Furthermore, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Dr. Thomas Gold from UC Berkeley, offered insights into the ongoing and evolving academic discourse surrounding Taiwan’s 228 Incident. Additionally, a Korean PhD candidate provided a comparative perspective by examining similarities and differences with Korea's Jeju April 3rd Incident, thereby broadening the dialogue with international viewpoints on the historical trauma associated with White Terror.

If you wish to participate in Dalton’s on going documentary projects on 228 and Taiwanese American History please send your inquiry to daltonluzs@gmail.com