Glendon | Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS)

Inside Conference Interpreting: A Conversation with Anchi Lue

vinish — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:30:58 +0000

This time around, we’re profiling not one of our graduates, but one of our instructors. Anchi Lue has made a solid contribution to the MCI since the very beginning. She was one of the colleagues who worked with us to develop our Mandarin-stream curriculum back in 2011, and she has taught for us ever since.

Anchi brings a wealth of experience into the classroom. She is a busy freelancer, based in the Brussels region, and she is also a bit of a rare find — she’s what we call a “Double A”. She is recognized as having two dominant languages, in her case, Mandarin and English. She is therefore uniquely positioned to share insight on communicating between the Chinese- and English-speaking worlds. Time and again, our students tell us how much they appreciate Anchi’s guidance.

We sat down with Anchi recently to hear what she had to say about her interpreting practice specifically, and about the profession more generally.

What motivated you to become a conference interpreter? What do you like about this job?

Like many colleagues, my path to the profession was a bizarre one. I thought it was an easy way to obtain a master’s degree. It wasn’t. But the huge effort turned out to be so worthwhile that I instead ditched my previous career as a broadcast journalist.

^{Photo of Anchi Lue}

For conference interpreters, the extensive access to decision makers and to processes that determine our future on this planet is unique. While duty-bound to be neutral, I still feel that I’ve contributed, however minimally, when an outcome is reached.

Can you describe what your typical day or week looks like?

Simply put, there is no typical day. I spend a lot of time preparing for assignments, and I also spend a lot of time keeping abreast of the latest ways that people use both of my A languages. It’s always a moving target.

Contrary to popular belief, conference interpreting is not a reactive job. You don’t just sit passively waiting for the speaker to spoon-feed you information. You have to listen and tell stories proactively in order to access and retain the message. Moreover, like a newsreader in front of the camera, presentation is crucial. How you carry yourself, your tone of voice and demeanor are a big part of that message. Every morning, you start the day by following the news in several languages. Your habits have to be so ingrained that you don’t realize you’re actually working.

Working into English as a B language isn’t easy, and it sometimes seems like a particular challenge for Mandarin A students. Why do you think this is the case? Can you offer any advice?

The relationship between language and culture is unequivocal. It’s easy to underestimate just how hard it is to be bi-cultural. By that I mean having social circles in your B language and maintaining a wide array of interests in it. In the case of English, the sheer diversity of forms, accents and paradigms makes it doubly difficult.

It is important to make it a habit to expose yourself to all areas of knowledge in your B language. I would say, do not panic, but you do need at least 5 years of life experience in that B language to be fully functional as an interpreter. Tricks will vary from one person to another, but go on YouTube and listen to people talking about fixing a car or assembling some furniture, but listen to how they talk while they’re doing it.

Tell us something about the Chinese-English conference interpreting market in Europe. What are the main sources of work? Any tips or resources for graduates?

The European Union is China’s largest trading partner. This means that there is a tremendous amount of traffic between the two sides in both public and private collaborations. Europe is extremely varied, a continent rich in historical, cultural and linguistic diversity. As a result, the types of conferences are very different from one place to another. It is imperative to acquire the skills to negotiate the different cultural contexts and navigate around the divergent social norms. In Europe, you also have the issue of people’s English being heavily influenced by their native languages. Short of learning all those languages, you just have to take the time to adjust. You also need to stay up to date with discourse in mainland China, Taiwan and all major English-speaking regions.

Finally, I should say a word about professional associations. Honing your craft, respecting professional ethics and joining AIIC go a long way towards achieving acceptance and referrals from colleagues.

Discover Why Translation Matters!

vinish — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:45:00 +0000

Do you hold an undergraduate degree in any discipline, whether related to translation or not? Do you have advanced writing skills in English and an additional language? Have you ever wondered about the role translation plays in almost every aspect of communication and the movement of knowledge across cultures and borders?

The Master in Translation Studies (MATS) at 91��ɫ’s Glendon campus gives you an opportunity to explore translation as a meaningful social, political and cultural activity. This program focuses on the theoretical aspects of translation as a practice, process, product, and activity. While it includes a few practice-oriented courses where students focus on translating texts, the program primarily aims to explore how research can enhance our understanding of translation as an inter- and cross-cultural practice.

Glendon’s Master in Translation Studies is the only such program in Canada that doesn’t require applicants to be proficient in both English and French. The program is open to applicants who have either English or French and another language. This means that you could be learning with and from others who have working languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Italian, Spanish, Urdu, etc. and bring experiences from a host of other contexts and cultures.

Our student body is richly diverse, encompassing a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. By examining languages and cultures through the lens of translation theories, our class discussions are always engaging and thought-provoking. The program fosters a close-knit and supportive community, where students and faculty collaborate closely. Our dedicated faculty members are actively involved in organizing and participating in numerous research-focused activities throughout the year, such as lectures, workshops, and networking events. In addition, our students take the initiative in organizing an annual graduate conference. They also engage in various events hosted by the Centre for Research on Language and Culture Contact.

_{Faculty and students from MATS program.}

Courses in the MATS combine theoretical knowledge with practical application. On the translation practice side, the program offers courses such as Literary Translation, Audiovisual Translation and Subtitling, Translation and Tourism, and Medical Translation. The more theoretical courses include Translation Studies and Research Methods; others focus on topics such as Experiences of Translation in the Americas, Balzac Translated-Translating Balzac, Politics and Translation, Ideology and Translation, Translation and Ethics, Translation and Mobility, and Translation and Digital Technologies, to name but a few.

The Master in Translation Studies can be completed in two years and offers three options: courses only, courses plus a Major Research Paper, or courses plus a thesis. The program is designed to serve full-time students as well as professionals who wish to obtain a graduate degree in Translation Studies while continuing to work. As such, all courses are scheduled in the evening, and some are offered online.

The MATS is a funded program. Once admitted, most eligible full-time domestic students receive a guaranteed funding package for the duration of the program. Note: No funding is available for international students.

For more information on the program structure and admission requirements, visit yorku.ca/gradstudies/mats/. Discover why translation matters!

The application deadline for the 2026–2027 academic year is February 15, 2026.

King Charles III Coronation Medal honours 91��ɫ U community members

vinish — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 19:22:53 +0000

More than 20 91��ɫ community members have been recognized with a prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal, a commemorative honour awarded to individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions to public service and society. Recipients of the King Charles III medal are recognized for their meaningful impact across various sectors, including education, research, public policy and social advocacy. The medal particularly honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their communities, long-standing dedication to Canada’s well-being and efforts that foster positive change both nationally and beyond.

Announcing the 2022 Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowships for Black and Indigenous Scholars

vinish — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 12:57:00 +0000

91��ɫ has announced Sylvester Aboagye, Landing Badji, Leora Gansworth and Graeme Reed as this year’s recipients of the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowships for Black and Indigenous Scholars. This important initiative supports up to four scholars annually in any field of study and provides the successful applicants with a salary of $70,000 annually for a two-year term.

“The University is committed to creating positive change and this means taking action on the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. Our prioritizes an inclusive higher education environment and these postdoctoral Fellows reflect that commitment. We very much look forward welcoming them to our community this year,” says Acting Provost and Vice-President Academic, Lyndon Martin.

The program’s aim is to address the under-representation of Black and Indigenous scholars in many disciplines and fields of research and associated careers. The initiative aims to address the lack of supportive mentorship and network-building opportunities available. Recipients of the fellowship are provided with collegial resources, supervision, mentorship and funded time to help them achieve their chosen career goals. The initiative promotes the inclusion, integration and nurturing of diverse backgrounds, knowledges and ways of researching, thinking, communicating and relating in order to provide equitable access to opportunities for emerging scholars.

Thomas Loebel, Dean and Associate Vice-Provost Graduate, believes that, “An inspiring part of this program is the window it provides on the great range and significance of scholarship and research undertaken by the applicants. This years’ Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship holders, each with a unique specialization and focus, are committed to conserving, caring for, and newly developing the world as comprised of sometimes simple, sometimes inordinately complex networks of organic and inorganic elements. Whether exploring energy efficiency, species and habitats, climate solutions, these scholars recognize the fundamental importance of an ecological approach to life in future times.”

Sylvester Aboagye is completing his PhD in electrical engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His stimulating research investigates how humans can improve the achievable data rate, coverage and energy efficiency performances of communication technologies. Specifically, his project focuses on wireless communication networks.

“For this fellowship, I will use optimization theory and machine learning tools to design communication technologies that operate in the terahertz and the visible light spectrum for the next generation of wireless networks,” says Aboagye. “Special thanks to Professor Hina Tabassum, a global leader in this research area, who will be my supervisor for this project at the Next Generation Wireless Networks research lab.”

During the fellowship, Aboagye will be housed with Lassonde School of Engineering.

_{Sylvester Aboagye}

Landing Badji earned a PhD in ecology and ecosystem management from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal. Badji’s cutting-edge research focuses on Chimpanzee self-medication, hormones and human-chimpanzee interactions.

“The Provost’s Postdoctoral fellowship will allow me to study factors affecting the health and behaviour of a critically endangered animal, the savanna chimpanzee, in its increasingly altered natural habitat,” says Badji. “I am looking forward to collaborating with Dr. Valerie Schoof in the Primate Behavioral Endocrinology Lab, and to work with someone who recognizes the importance of supporting scholars from primate-habitat countries in becoming research leaders.

During the fellowship, Badjo will be housed with Glendon.

_{Landing Badji}

Leora Gansworth holds a PhD in critical human geography from 91��ɫ. Her innovative project investigates the environmental health priorities in the Algonquin territory.

“I am so thankful to join the Center for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages as an incoming postdoctoral Fellow. Chi Meegwech/gratitude to Dr. Deborah McGregor, the Osgoode Hall Law School, and the many others who have made this opportunity possible,” says Gansworth. “My research will continue to investigate environmental health priorities as determined by Indigenous Peoples. I am especially interested in working with those who continue to seek mino-bimaadiziwin, a good way of life, in reciprocity with all our relations, and an emphasis on restoring kinship with migrating eels.”

During the fellowship, Gansworth will be housed with Osgoode Hall Law School.

_{Leora Gansworth}

Graeme Reed is a PhD candidate in rural studies at the University of Guelph. He will be advancing his work on Indigenous visions for self-determined climate solutions by working with the Center for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages (CIKL) catalyst project “Indigenous Climate Leadership and Self-Determination Futures.”

“This work is my commitment to deconstruct the dominant assumptions underlying colonial systems of climate solutions to advance solutions grounded in our knowledge systems, legal orders and governance practices,” says Reed. “I’d like to send a chi-miigwech to Profs. Deb McGregor and Angele Alook to agree to walk with me in this journey. I’d also like to send a chi-miigwech to all those Indigenous experts who have walked with me on this path, as well as all those Elders, women, youth, leaders and academics who shared their insight with me.”

During the fellowship, Reed will be housed with CIKL.

_{Graeme Reed}

McGregor, director of the Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages, says “CIKL is looking forward to working with both Reed and Gansworth as part of this fellowship program. Their work is timely, original, and important and will make great research contributions. We look forward to supporting them with their academic and community-oriented objectives.”

Learn more about the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowships for Black and Indigenous Scholars at 91��ɫ by visiting the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ website.