Working in small teams, translate a text from Chinese to English and English to Chinese then engage in a facilitated reflection about the art of translating.

We will be translating work from Chinese-Australian poet Ouyang Yu, who will share his experience of writing across languages at the beginning of the event.

No previous experience of translation is required, but participants should have some knowledge of both English and Chinese.

Presented in partnership with Marco Polo Project and Yarra Libraries for the Chinese Writers Festival. Supported by Creative Victoria and Yarra Libraries.

You will learn

• to experiment with collaborative methods of translation
• about new writing from Chinese authors
• to develop better capacity to experience empathy with people from diverse backgrounds and appreciate writing from other traditions
• to develop better awareness of language-specific structures as defining building blocks for perspective and point of view
• to develop an interpretive mindset.  

About Julien Leyre

Julien Leyre is a French-Australian writer and educator. After studying Humanities and Classics, he published a novel and short stories in Paris while teaching linguistics and translation at the Sorbonne. In 2011 he founded Marco Polo Project, an organisation exploring new models to build cross-cultural empathy and self-awareness. He is an industry fellow with Monash University Centre for Translation.

Julien will also be running a half-day seminar on Reading and Writing Across Languages.

Read Julien's Q&A on online writing, and Chinese writers and readership.