The 5th Hong Kong Regional Final of the Cross-strait Interpreting Competition Successfully Held by the Department of LT

The 5^th Hong Kong Regional Final of the 10th Cross-Strait Interpreting Competition (Putonghua/English) was successfully held by the Department of Linguistics and Translation (LT), City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) on 12 April 2025. It was co-organized by CityUHK, Xiamen University, and the Hong Kong Audio Description Studies Association (HKADSA). Contestants from 6 universities in Hong Kong participated in the contest. The panel of adjudicators consisted of interpreter training experts and seasoned practitioners. The first prizes were awarded to 4 students from CityUHK, ChineseU, and BaptistU, who will continue to compete in the Grand Final of the 10th Cross-strait Interpreting Competition in May. This event has attracted 327 participants (onsite and online). 

The Department of LT has hosted the Competition for the 5^th time since  2014. It has become an important platform for deepening international academic exchanges between universities and showcasing students’ interpreting talents. Prof Jackie Yan, Chair of the Organizing Committee, said in her welcome speech: “The Cross-Strait Interpreting Competition has gained a great reputation among academics and industrial partners, we are proud to be part of this. Interpretation is more than just translating words; it is about conveying meaning, emotion, and intent. Each of you has spent countless hours honing your craft, and today, you have the opportunity to showcase your talents on this stage.” Prof Niels Schiller, Head of the Department,  also sent his encouragement to the contestants.

This year’s contest, themed “Digital Society,” incorporated multiple artificial intelligence (AI) elements, such as real-time subtitling and livestreaming, to enhance convenience for adjudicators and audience. Notably, the organizing team consisted of both sighted and visually impaired people. The event also provided audio description (AD) services: A team of volunteer audio describers rendered contest visuals into vivid verbal narratives, delivering socially meaningful linguistic assistance to visually impaired people. CityUHK is one of the few universities in the Chinese-speaking region offering AD training in the interpreting programs. The contest provided students with hands-on experience in delivering AD services, allowing them to apply to practice what they have learned in class.

The CityUHK contestants, LIU Xindi, LIANG Yiwen, and ZHANG Xiaozhu,  are from the MALS program, Dept of LT. They won the first and second prizes. Before the contest, seven training sessions were organized in the Simultaneous Lab by the Interpreting Workshop Led by Prof Jackie Xiu Yan. The trainers of the pre-contest sessions were CHOW Amanda Hiu Tung and LIU Guijiao. The event was supported by a series of research grants: GRF #1160962, DON_RMG #9229103, DON_RMG #9229125, SIRG #7020037, the Principal Investigator is Prof Jackie Xiu Yan, who is also Chair of the Organizing Committee. 

Most of the volunteers and helpers are graduate students of the LT Department. Prof Caesar Lun, Leader of the MALS Program, said that he saw seamless collaboration across roles among volunteers and helpers, this is a team of exceptional talent. Such team spirit of dedication to a shared goal lays the foundation for success.  

The winners of the 5th Hong Kong Regional Final of the 10th Cross-Strait Interpreting Contest are:

Photos:

LT supporting team with volunteers and helpers from LT MALS and PhD programs

Adjudicators with Prof Jackie Xiu Yan (Chair of the Organizing Committee) and Prof Caesar Lun (MALS Program Leader)

Four first prize winners: TSE Di Heng (ChineseU), JIANG Rong (BaptistU), Liu Xindi (CityUHK), CHENG Chuqiao (BaptistU) and Prof Jackie Yan (Chair of the Organizing Committee)

CityUHK Winners Liu Xindi (First Prize), Liang Yiwen (Second Prize), Zhang Xiaozhu (Second Prize) and Interpreting Workshop organizer and trainers Prof Jackie Yan, Liu Guijiao and Amanda Chow

Audio Description Service Group

Reported by LIU Guijiao