Staff profile
Affiliation | Telephone |
---|---|
Professor in Chinese Translation in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures | |
Professor in Chinese Translation in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures | +44 (0) 191 33 43445 |
Associate Fellow in the Institute of Advanced Study |
Biography
My research interests lie in translation and interpreting studies (TIS), with particular emphasis on cognitive translation studies, translation process research and neuroscience of translation. My research is interdisciplinary, comprising elements from translation studies, psycholinguistics, and cognitive neuroscience. My first monograph, developed from my PhD research and titled Choice-making in the Process of English-to-Chinese Translation: An Empirical Study (2012), is regarded as a seminal work in translation process research. My recent co-edited book, Empirical Studies of Translation and Interpreting: The Post-structuralist Approach (2021) published by Routledge, showcases some of the latest empirical TIS from a post-structuralist approach, and is characterised by a rejection of essentialist claims and traditional positivist concepts such as equivalence and fidelity, and challenges the stasis of earlier linguistic-based models. I have published a long list of research articles in world leading translation and linguistics journals, and have been rated in some scientometric studies as one of the most prolific authors, with articles published in core and indexed TIS journals (i.e., SSCI and/or A&HCI).
At the heart of my current research are two projects. The first project, “Types of Stress in Translation and the Cognitive Psychology of Translation”, was funded by the National Social Science Fund of China (20BYY014) in 2020. The aim of this project is to explore thestress level of translators from macro, meso and micro perspectives. The macro perspective will be investigated through a critical review and survey concerning the social context of translators, such as the translators’ occupational stress and career crisis brought about by the AI era; the meso perspective will be researched by both survey and interview concerning the psycho-social status of translators, such as the reward and recognition they receive, and the motivations behind their work; and the micro perspectives will be examined through applied cognitive, psychological and physiological methods (i.e., eye-tracking, translog, STAI, GSR, etc.), in order to quantify the translators’ stress posed by time pressure and absence of external support.
The second project, “Timothy Richard and His Translation A Mission to Heaven”, is funded by the Department of Education, Shanxi Province in 2020, under the “100 Talent Plan” on Overseas High-Level Talent. This project examines A Mission to Heaven (1913), the first English version of Journey to the West translated by the Welsh Baptist missionary Timothy Richard (1845-1919) from the sociological, cultural and historical perspectives. A detailed comparative analysis will be conducted between the identified version of Journey to the West (as the source text) and Timothy’s translated book A Mission to Heaven (as the target text).
I have extensive experience collaborating with internal and external scholars, on both research and editorial projects. Over the years I have collaborated intensively with external colleagues Adolfo García (Universidad del Aconcagua), Su Li (Cambridge) and Dong Yanping (Zhejiang University) on a project entitled “Neuro-Cognitive Studies of Translation and Interpreting”, and published collaborative articles in Brain and Cognition, and Target. I am now also working with Han Cao (Xiamen University) on a project entitled Cognitive Inquiries of Interpreting Assessment, which will be the first systematic research on interpreting evaluation from the cognitive perspective using eye-tracking methodology.
Together with Sergey Tyulenev (Durham University) we have edited a special issue of Translation and Interpreting Studies (published by John Benjamins). This issue is the first to attempt to discuss the possibility of developing a comparative branch of Translation Studies. In collaboration with Kobus Marais (UFS) and Sergey Tyulenev, we are now editing a special issue of Translation Studies (published by Routledge). This issue attempts to go beyond the narrow conceptualisation of traditional lingual types of translation, inquiring into, and taking account of, non-lingual types of translation.
At Durham University I have directed the Centre for Intercultural Mediation since 2015, and lead Durham University’s scholarship on translation and intercultural studies through organising high-profile international and national conferences, annual postgraduate colloquia and invited lecture series, developing international networks and expanding emerging research fields. I have received two sources of internal funding (RIS, Durham) to establish the eye-tracking lab, and to purchase and upgrade facilities including three models of Tobii eye-trackers (TX300; Fusion 250 and Pro Glasses 2) and one Empatica E4 Wristband.
Externally, I chaired the British Chinese Language Teaching Society from 2012 to 2016, and helped develop a global reputation for the Society in the area of International Chinese Education. I am a founding member for the World Interpreter and Translator Training Association (WITTA) and International Association of Translation, Interpreting and Cognition (IATIC), promoting translation education and cognitive translation studies. I have worked as the Deputy Chair of the Universities’ China Committee in London (UCCL) and I am a Member of the Peer Review College for UK Research and Innovation Council, assessing and evaluating research projects within my broad research fields. In 2020, I was awarded the title of Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (HonFCIL), in recognition of my important “contribution to the language learning and research, distinction as a role model and ambassador for linguists, and distinguished service to language professions”.
Before coming to Durham University, I was a PhD student, and then a Lecturer in Chinese Translation at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. In 2014-15, I was a by-fellow at Churchill College, Cambridge University.
Postgraduate Supervision
I have supervised to completion more than ten PhD students working on a range of topics in translation and interpreting studies, and have an excellent track record of supervising PhDs funded by AHRC Northern-Bridge Scholarship, CSC-Durham Scholarship and Durham Doctoral Scholarship. I have established my research team on Cognitive Translation Studies and built an eye-tracking research lab. I would welcome enquiries from students who wish to pursue PhDs in areas of translation process research, empirical translation/interpreting studies, and cognitive neuroscience of translation/interpreting.
Research interests
- Translation Process Research
- Empirical Translation/Interpreting Studies
- Cognitive Neuroscience of Translation
- Contemporary Translation Theories
- Comparative Translation/Interpreting Studies
Esteem Indicators
- 2021: Review Editor: Frontiers in Psychology (SSCI)
- 2021: Member of Editorial Board: Perspectives: Studies in Translation Theory and Practice (SSCI, A&HCI)
- 2021: Visiting Professor: Dalian University of Technology (2021-24)
- 2020: Threlford Lecturer: The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL)
- 2020: Honorary Fellowship: The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL)
- 2019: Member of Editorial Committee: Translation Quarterly, the Journal of Hong Kong Translation Society
- 2019: Deputy Chair: Universities’ China Committee in London (2019-21)
- 2017: Member of Editorial Committee: Journal of Translation Studies
- 2017: Visiting Professor: Nankai University
- 2016: Chair: Communication and Collaboration Committee, The World Interpreter and Translator Training Association (2016-2021)
- 2016: Member of Executive Committee: Universities’ China Committee in London (2016- )
- 2015: Visiting Professor: University of International Business and Economics, China
- 2014: By-fellow: Churchill College, Cambridge University (2014-2015)
- 2014: Visiting Professor: Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China (2014-2017, 2019-2023)
- 2014: Research Fellow: Communication University of China (2014-2017)
- 2014: Keynote Speaker: International Symposium on Comparative & Translation Studies Between English & Chinese,Tsinghua University
- 2012: Chair: The British Chinese Language Teaching Society (2012-2016)
Publications
Authored book
Book review
Chapter in book
- Luo, W., & Zheng, B. (2022). Monkey’s journey to the West: How manifold versions of one translation help to disseminate a classic Chinese original. In L. Qi, & S. Tobias (Eds.), Encountering China’s Past: Translation and Dissemination of Classical Chinese Literature (79-99). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0648-0_6
- Zheng, B., & Kuang, H. (2022). Working memory and interpreting studies. In J. W. Schwieter, & Z. (. Wen (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Working Memory and Language (698-721). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108955638.037
- Zhou, H., Weng, Y., & Zheng, B. (2021). Temporal eye-voice span as a dynamic indicator for cognitive effort during speech processing: A comparative study of reading aloud and sight translation. In R. Munoz, S. Sun, & D. Li (Eds.), Advances in Cognitive Translation Studies (161-179). (1). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2070-6_8
- Cui, Y., & Zheng, B. (2021). Effect of Perceived Translation Difficulty on the Allocation of Cognitive Resources Between Translating and Consultation: An Eye-Tracking and Screen-Recording Study. In C. Wang, & B. Zheng (Eds.), Empirical Studies of Translation and Interpreting: The Post-Structuralist Approach (51-73). Routledge
- Zheng, B., & Xiang, X. (2018). The Psycholinguistics of Chinese Translation. In C. Shei, & Z. Gao (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Chinese Translation (291-306). (New ed.). Routledge
- Vandepitte, S., Jooken, L., Maier, R. M., & Zheng, B. (2018). Chapter 6.1. Linguistics. In L. D’hulst, & Y. Gambier (Eds.), A History of Modern Translation Knowledge Sources, concepts, effects (357-366). (New ed.). John Benjamins Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.142
- Xiang, X., & Zheng, B. (2014). Revisiting the Function of Background Information in Sight Translating Metaphor: An Analysis of Translation Product and Process. In A. Musolff, F. MacArthur, & G. Pagani (Eds.), Metaphor and intercultural communication (53-72). (New ed). Bloomsbury Academic
- Zheng, B. (2014). Towards students’ learning activities in an MA translation mdule : an interview-based study. In L. M. Li, & M. Xing (Eds.), Innovation and Consolidation in Learning and Teaching Chinese--Applied Chinese Language Studies V (223-236). (New ed.). Sinolingua London
- Zheng, B. (2007). The Cognition and English-Chinese Translation on Metaphorical Sentences. In W. M. Tham (Ed.), Multi-perspectives on language study (151-166). NTU Center for Chinese Language & Culture and Global Publishing
Edited book
- Wang, C., & Zheng, B. (Eds.). (2021). Empirical Studies of Translation and Interpreting. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003017400
- Zheng, B., & Guo, Z. (Eds.). (2016). Acquisition, Assessment and Application: Theory and Practice of Teaching Chinese in Higher Education. Sinolingua London Ltd
- Guo, Z., & Zheng, B. (Eds.). (2015). Recent Developments of Chinese Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Sinolingua London Ltd
Journal Article
- Liu, G., Wang, F., & Zheng, B. (online). The local grammar patterns of evaluation in Chinese and Western scholars’ research(中西方学者学术论文中评价局部语法型式使用特征研究)
- Zheng, B., Yu, J., Zhang, B., & Shen, C. (online). Reconceptualizing translation and translators in the digital age: YouTube comment translation on China’s Bilibili. Translation Studies, 16(2), 297-316. https://doi.org/10.1080/14781700.2023.2205423
- Wang, F., & Zheng, B. (online). A review of the research on translation unit in the past six decades(六十年翻译单位研究评述)
- Xiang, X., & Zheng, B. (online). Restricted creation: A questionnaire-based study on perceptions of subjectivity and ethics of business liaison interpreters. Waiguoyu, 88-99
- Zheng, B. (online). The Triangulation Module in Process-oriented Translation Studies. Shanghai fanyi, 36-41
- Han, C., Zheng, B., Xie, M., & Chen, S. (2024). Raters’ scoring process in assessment of interpreting: an empirical study based on eye tracking and retrospective verbalisation. The Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 18(3), 400-422. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750399x.2024.2326400
- Yu, J., Zheng, B., & Shao, L. (2023). Who has the final say? English translation of online lockdown writing Wuhan Diary. Perspectives, 31(2), 297-312. https://doi.org/10.1080/0907676x.2021.1928251
- Kuang, H., & Zheng, B. (2023). Note-taking effort in video remote interpreting: effects of source speech difficulty and interpreter work experience. Perspectives, 31(4), 724-744. https://doi.org/10.1080/0907676x.2022.2053730
- Kuang, H., & Zheng, B. (2022). How does interpreting performance correlate with note-taking process, note-taking product and note-reading process? An eye-tracking and pen-recording study. Across Languages and Cultures, 23(2), 167-186. https://doi.org/10.1556/084.2022.00281
- Jia, Y., & Zheng, B. (2022). The interaction effect between source text complexity and machine translation quality on the task difficulty of NMT post-editing from English to Chinese: A multi-method study. Across Languages and Cultures, 23(1), 36-55. https://doi.org/10.1556/084.2022.00120
- Wang, X., Wang, L., & Zheng, B. (2022). Impact of translation directions on information processing and translation quality: A triangulated study using eye-tracking and screen-recording(翻译方向对信息加工过程及质量的影响——基于眼动和屏幕记录等数据的多元互证)
- Liu, Y., & Zheng, B. (2022). Comparability of difficulty levels of translation tasks in CET-6 parallel test forms: evidence from product and process-based data. The Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 16(4), 428-447. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750399x.2022.2036938
- Weng, Y., Zheng, B., & Dong, Y. (2022). Time pressure in translation: Psychological and physiological measures. Target: International Journal of Translation Studies, 34(4), 601-626. https://doi.org/10.1075/target.20148.wen
- Cui, Y., & Zheng, B. (2022). Extralinguistic Consultation in English–Chinese Translation: A Study Drawing on Eye-Tracking and Screen-Recording Data. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.891997
- Cui, Y., & Zheng, B. (2021). Consultation behaviour with online resources in English-Chinese translation: an eye-tracking, screen-recording and retrospective study. Perspectives, 29(5), 740-760. https://doi.org/10.1080/0907676x.2020.1760899
- Hu, Z., Zheng, B., & Wang, X. (2021). The impact of a metacognitive self-regulation inventory in translator self-training: a pre-post study with English-Chinese translation students. The Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 15(4), 430-449. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750399x.2020.1844436
- Xiang, X., Zheng, B., & Feng, D. (2020). Interpreting impoliteness and over-politeness: An investigation into interpreters' cognitive effort, coping strategies and their effects. Journal of Pragmatics, 169, 231-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2020.09.021
- Zheng, B., Báez, S., Su, L., Xiang, X., Weis, S., Ibáñez, A., & García, A. M. (2020). Semantic and attentional networks in bilingual processing: fMRI connectivity signatures of translation directionality. Brain and Cognition, 143, Article 105584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2020.105584
- Wang, Y., & Zheng, B. (2020). Allocation of cognitive resources in English-to-Chinese translation: An eye-tracking, key-logging and retrospective think-aloud study(英译汉过程中译者的认知资源分配模式——基于眼动、键击和反省法的实证研究)
- Weng, Y., & Zheng, B. (2020). A multi-methodological approach to studying time-pressure in written translation: Manipulation and measurement. Linguistica Antverpiensia New Series - Themes in Translation Studies, 19, 218-236
- Liu, Y., Zheng, B., & Zhou, H. (2019). Measuring the difficulty of text translation: The combination of text-focused and translator-oriented approaches. Target: International Journal of Translation Studies, 31(1), 125-149. https://doi.org/10.1075/target.18036.zhe
- Zheng, B. (2019). The Translator's Brain
- Zheng, B., & Zhou, H. (2018). Revisiting Processing Time for Metaphorical Expressions: An Eye-tracking Study on Eye-voice Span during Sight Translation. Waiyu jiaoxue yu yanjiu, 50(5), 738-753
- Zheng, B., & Xiang, X. (2018). Between Invisibility and Over-visibility: Self-perception and User Expectations of Liaison Interpreters in Business Settings. Babel. Revue internationale de la traduction, 64(1), 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.00023.zhe
- Zheng, B., & Xie, M. (2018). The Effect of Explanatory Captions on the Reception of Foreign Audiovisual Products: A Study Drawing on Eyetracking Data and Retrospective Interviews. Translation, cognition & behavior, 1(1), 119-146. https://doi.org/10.1075/tcb.00006.zhe
- Pan, F., & Zheng, B. (2017). Gender Difference of Hedging in Interpreting for Chinese Government Press Conferences: A Corpus-based Study. Across Languages and Cultures, 18(2), 171-193. https://doi.org/10.1556/084.2017.18.2.1
- Tyulenev, S., & Zheng, B. (2017). Introduction: Towards the Comparative Studies of Translation and Interpreting. Translation and Interpreting Studies: The Journal of the American Translation and Interpreting Studies Association, 12(2), 197-212. https://doi.org/10.1075/tis.12.2.01tyu
- Luo, W., & Zheng, B. (2017). Visiting elements thought to be “inactive”: non-human actors in Arthur Waley’s translation of Journey to the West. Asia Pacific Translation and Intercultural Studies, 4(3), 253-265. https://doi.org/10.1080/23306343.2017.1370060
- Tyulenev, S., Zheng, B., & Johnson, P. (2017). A Comparative Study of Translation/ Interpreting as a Profession in Russia, China and Spain. Translation and Interpreting Studies: The Journal of the American Translation and Interpreting Studies Association, 12(2), 332-354. https://doi.org/10.1075/tis.12.2.07tyu
- Xiao, D., & Zheng, B. (2015). Reconstructing a Narrative, Reinterpreting a History: A Case Study of Translating Big Breasts and Wide Hips. Asia Pacific Translation and Intercultural Studies, 2(3), 155-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/23306343.2015.1094846
- Xiang, X., & Zheng, B. (2015). The impact of background information on the translation quality of metaphorical expressions: An analysis of products of English-Chinese sight translation. Wai-yu yu wai-yu jiaoxue, 1, 69-80
- Zheng, B., & Xiang, X. (2014). The impact of cultural background knowledge in the processing of metaphorical expressions: An empirical study of English-Chinese sight translation. Translation and Interpreting Studies: The Journal of the American Translation and Interpreting Studies Association, 9(1), 5-24. https://doi.org/10.1075/tis.9.1.01zhe
- Zheng, B. (2014). The role of consultation sources revisited: an empirical study of English–Chinese translation. Perspectives, 22(1), 113-135. https://doi.org/10.1080/0907676x.2012.746380
- Zheng, B., & Xia, X. (2013). Processing metaphorical expressions in sight translation: an empirical-experimental research. Babel. Revue internationale de la traduction, 59(2), 160-183. https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.59.2.03zhe
- Xiang, X., & Zheng, B. (2011). Understanding and reformulating metaphors: An empirical study on English-Chinese sight translation. Waiyu jiaoxue yu yanjiu, 43(3), 422-436
- Zheng, B., & Mun, T. W. (2007). An Empirical Study of Translation Units in English-Chinese Translating. Waiyu jiaoxue yu yanjiu, 39(2), 145-154
- Zheng, B., & Chen, Y. (2006). Boke or Buluoge: On Translation of "Blog". Shanghai fanyi, 3, 78-79
- Zheng, B. (2006). Translog: An Assistant Program in Process-oriented Translation Studies. Zhongguo ke-ji fanyi, 4, 20-24
Other (Digital/Visual Media)