The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Translation (Revised Edition, 2027) - Call for Chapters
Editors: Weixiao Wei, Zhaoming Gao and Chris Shei

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.

The revised edition will continue to provide a comprehensive reference work on key themes in Chinese translation while incorporating new research threads emerging from the transformative impact of AI technologies. We invite contributions that engage with the intersection of traditional translation theory and practice with cutting-edge AI-driven tools and methodologies.

Key Themes and Research Threads (but feel free to propose additional themes and different chapter names):

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 by June 30, 2025.
• Full chapters (7,000-9,000 words) will be expected by April 1, 2026.

Please send all inquiries and submissions to Weixiao Wei at wwei21@cougarnet.uh.edu copying in Chris Shei at C-C.Shei@Swansea.ac.uk or ccshei@gmail.com.