Students from Dongduk Women's University have recently published a book titled 'Cities Speak China,' focusing on various aspects of Chinese society and culture.
Students from Dongduk Women's University, mainly from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, have recently published a book titled 'Cities Speak China.' This initiative was spearheaded by the Dongduk Chinese-Korean Cultural Translation Society, established in 2021, aimed at promoting practical developments in the translation and publication of Chinese texts. The society's foundation is based on a deep reflection and critique of the current state of translating Chinese texts in South Korea's publishing industry, which holds the highest revenue from Chinese copyrights in the world.
The significance of 'Cities Speak China' lies in the fact that students participated in all aspects of the planning and writing process, moving beyond the conventional role of simply translating existing literature. Through this book, they provide rich and diverse insights into Chinese society and culture, focusing on various cities across China. Organized into sections titled 'China through Character,' 'China through Folklore,' and 'China through Tourist Attractions,' the book aims to present a multidimensional understanding of China, considering the vast geography and layered regional cultures of the country.
The Dongduk Chinese-Korean Cultural Translation Society is supported and guided by notable figures including Kim Hak-yong, an advisor at the Korea-China Future Institute, and professors Kim Yoon-tae and Ko Hyun-jin from the university's Department of Chinese Language and Literature, along with translator Kim Tae-sung. The society plans to establish a distinctive publishing tradition by translating and publishing one book annually, thereby contributing to the academic and cultural exchange between China and South Korea.
