On May 20, 2025, Translation Department of School of English Studies, Xi’an Fanyi University, welcomed a distinguished guest—renowned British Sinologist Professor James Trapp—to co-teach a session of the Translation Practice Project I. Collaborating with faculty member He Jiale, Professor Trapp guided students in translating Chinese business texts into English. This event explored the cultural adaptability and professionalism in commercial text translation through student group presentations, expert comments, and interactive Q&A sessions, providing valuable academic and practical experience for teachers and students.
The session began with four student teams showcasing their translations of the “Introduction to Xi’an Fanyi University.” Each group analyzed the university’s history, academic features, and international exchanges from multiple perspectives, including text structure, terminology standardization, and cultural adaptation. Mr. He praised the students’ innovative thinking, stating: “Translation is not merely language conversion but a bridge for cultural communication.”
Professor James Trapp provided detailed feedback on the presentations by drawing on his practical experience in translating classic works like The Art of War and Tao Te Ching. He highlighted the “dual fidelity” required in business texts translation: One must remain faithful to the core information of the original text while also aligning with the cultural logic of the target language. Additionally, he shared cross-cultural strategies employed in translating The Communist Party of China (English edition), noting, “When dealing with political terms featuring Chinese characteristics, it is necessary to help readers understand them through annotations or supplementary background information.” During the Q&A, students raised questions on topics like “AI’s challenge to translation” and “handling culturally loaded terms. Professor Trapp stressed that while technology enhances efficiency, translators’ humanistic literacy remains irreplaceable. Mr. He added, “Translation courses should incorporate ideological and political elements, such as using BRI-themed projects to cultivate students’ cultural confidence and global vision.”
This practical session serves not merely as a forge where translation prowess is refined but also as a portal opening up the realm of cross-cultural dialogue. Professor Trapp commended Xi’an Fanyi University’s achievements in translation education: “Young translators serve as messengers of cultural exchanges. I look forward to deepening cooperation with the university in areas such as academic translation and international communication, jointly writing a new chapter in cultural exchanges.”
The event exemplified the educational philosophy of “promoting teaching through practice and nurturing talent through culture,” while offering an innovative model for business translation teaching. Building on platforms such as the “Chinese Academic Translation Training Program”, the university will cultivate more translators with both professional expertise and cultural mission, facilitating the international dissemination of China’s stories.
This event embodied Xi'an Fanyi University’s mission to “educate through practice and inspire through culture,” setting a fresh benchmark for business translation education. By nurturing linguistically adept and culturally conscious professionals through initiatives like the “Chinese Academic Translation Initiative,” the university continues to elevate China’s narrative on the world stage.
Translated by Zhao Tong, Reviewed by Xu Lili
