Call for Chapters: The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Translation (Revised Edition, 2027)

Editors: Weixiao Wei and Zhaoming Gao 

We are pleased to announce the call for chapters for the revised edition of The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Translation, scheduled for publication in 2027. Building on the foundation of the 2017 edition, the revised volume aims to reflect the latest developments, research trends, and innovations in Chinese translation studies. We particularly welcome contributions that explore how advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the theory and practice of Chinese translation across various domains.

In recent years, the field of Chinese translation has witnessed significant changes. These include growing international visibility, deeper integration of translation technology, changing policies around language and culture, and shifts in global power dynamics that influence translation ideologies. In parallel, the rapid development of artificial intelligence, machine translation, corpus linguistics, and professional standards has impacted the way Chinese translation is taught, practiced, and theorized.

This second edition seeks to offer a comprehensive and critical engagement with these developments. It retains the robust structure of the first edition, organized thematically to address education, linguistics, society, process, literature, specialized domains, technology, and the future of the field. However, it also includes new chapters, updated research, and revised perspectives that better capture the current landscape.

Key Themes and Research Threads (but feel free to propose additional themes and chapters):

Part I: Chinese Translation in Academic Settings

This section explores the role of translation within educational and academic institutions across Chinese-speaking regions and beyond.

1. Revisiting the Chinese Tradition of Translation Studies
   An updated historical overview focusing on recent reinterpretations of classical Chinese translation theory and its modern relevance.
2. Mapping Translation Programs in China and Worldwide
   Examines the growth of T&I education in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and globally, with a focus on curriculum innovation.
3. Competency-Based Training in Chinese Translation
   Discusses contemporary views on the integration of knowledge, skills, and resources in translator education.
4. Assessment in Translation Studies: From China to the Global South
   Analyzes developments in translation assessment with comparative perspectives across education systems.
5. New Pedagogies in Translation Education: AI, Hybrid Learning, and Beyond
   A new chapter addressing technological integration in translation pedagogy post-pandemic.

Part II: Linguistic and Pragmatic Aspects of Chinese Translation

This section investigates how linguistic features of the Chinese language shape translation strategies and outcomes.

6. Translatability Reconsidered: A Chinese Linguistic Perspective
   Revisits the concept of translatability in light of recent linguistic and philosophical debates.
7. From Words to Texts: Micro and Macro Linguistic Challenges in Chinese Translation
   Explores lexical, syntactic, and stylistic issues across genres.
8. Grammar and Creativity in Chinese-English Translation
   A cognitive and stylistic perspective on grammatical choices.
9. Discourse and Pragmatics: Translating Cultural Logic
   Focuses on politeness, implicature, and context in Chinese translation.
10. Paratexts and Metatexts in Chinese Literary and Media Translation
    Investigates the framing and reception of translated works in Chinese contexts.

Part III: The Social and Political Contexts of Chinese Translation

This section emphasizes how social, political, and ideological forces shape translation practice and reception.

11. Sociological Approaches to Chinese Translation: New Directions
    Introduces Bourdieu, Latour, and Actor-Network Theory in analyzing translation as a social practice.
12. Media Translation in the Age of Disinformation
    Discusses subtitling, dubbing, and news translation in an increasingly controlled media landscape.
13. Censorship and Agency in Contemporary Chinese Translation
    Case studies exploring censorship in literary, audiovisual, and academic translation.
14. Identity, Ideology, and Translator Positioning in Chinese Contexts
    Addresses translator ethics and agency in politically sensitive environments.
15. The Business of Translation: Industry Trends and Market Shifts
    Surveys the Chinese translation market post-COVID and in light of global outsourcing.

Part IV: Process and Practice of Chinese Translation and Interpreting

This section focuses on the cognitive and pedagogical aspects of translation and interpreting.

16. Process-Oriented Research in Chinese Translation
    A review of empirical studies using think-aloud protocols, keystroke logging, and eye-tracking.
17. Cognitive Science and the Chinese Translator
    An updated overview of psycholinguistic research in translation performance.
18. Interpreter Education: Standards and Innovations in Chinese-Speaking Regions
    Highlights evolving pedagogy and accreditation for interpreting professionals.
19. Modes of Interpreting: From Conference to Community Contexts
    Explores the practical realities of consecutive, simultaneous, and liaison interpreting.
20. Interpreting for Public Services: Policy and Practice
    Examines challenges in legal, healthcare, and immigration contexts.

Part V: Chinese Literary Translation

This section highlights literary translation as both a creative and cultural endeavor.

21. Modern Chinese Literary Translation: A Century in Retrospect
    A historiographical overview emphasizing literary modernity and national identity.
22. Classics in Translation: The Case of Dream of the Red Chamber
    Explores how one Chinese classic continues to shape the field.
23. The Translator as Author: Voice, Memory, and Reflection
    Personal essays and reflections from practicing literary translators.
24. Drama, Poetry, and New Media
    Analyzes the challenges of translating performance and poetic language in the digital age.

Part VI: Specialized Domains in Chinese Translation

This section provides an overview of domain-specific challenges.

25. Audiovisual Translation: From Quality to Accessibility
    Focuses on subtitling, voice-over, and localization, with a focus on inclusion.
26. Legal and Patent Translation: Risk and Precision
    Outlines key features of legal Chinese and translation fidelity.
27. Gender and Social Justice in Legal Translation
    Explores intersectional translation ethics in law and policy documents.
28. Chinese Medical Texts: Traditional and Modern Discourse
    Deals with the challenges of translating Chinese medical knowledge for global audiences.

Part VII: Chinese Translation and Technology

This section reflects the increasing reliance on digital tools.

29. From CAT to LLM: Translation Technology in Flux
    Explores the shift from traditional CAT tools to neural machine translation and large language models.
30. AI, Data, and Translator Decision-Making
    Focuses on translator interactions with AI-based platforms.
31. Corpora and Digital Resources in Chinese Translation Studies
    Surveys current corpus tools, databases, and their pedagogical uses.
32. Technical Communication and Translation in China
    Explores technical translation practices in science and engineering.

Part VIII: Futures and Frontiers of Chinese Translation Studies

This final section explores emerging questions, disciplines, and possibilities.

33. Professional Identity in a Post-Human Translation World
    Explores how translators redefine themselves in the AI era.
34. Fan Subtitling and Participatory Cultures in Chinese Translation
    Analyzes grassroots translation communities and their cultural impact.
35. Globalizing Chinese Translation Studies
    Maps efforts to establish Chinese translation as a global academic discourse.
36. Translation and National Image: Strategic Communication in China
    Examines state-sponsored translation as soft power.
37. Disciplinary Horizons: What’s Next for Chinese Translation Studies?
    A reflective chapter on future research agendas.

Submission Guidelines:

• Proposals should be submitted as an abstract (200-300 words) outlining the main argument, scope, and structure of the chapter.
• The submission should include a brief biography (50-100 words) of the author(s), highlighting relevant expertise. Maximum Numbers of authors allowed per chapter: 3.
• Proposals should be submitted no later than July 1, 2025.
• Full chapters (7,000-9,000 words) will be expected by March 1, 2026.

The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Translation remains an essential reference for students, scholars, and practitioners interested in Chinese translation studies. Please send all inquiries and submissions to Dr Weixiao Wei at wwei21@cougarnet.uh.edu 

We look forward to your contributions to this important volume.