Bulletin Vol. 7 No. 3 Nov 1970

our three Foundation Colleges all give courses on translation. The Department of Extramural Studies of the University also offers programmes on translation and an advanced translation certificate course, a second course of which will soon be initiated. A t the same time, research has also been done in the field of translation. Since 1967, with the help of Dr. L in Yutang, the University has been able to carry out the tremendous task of producing the Chinese-English Dictionary of Modern Usage, The Dictionary will be ready for printing later in the year and is expected to be published in two years' time. In February 1967 the University sponsored a Translation Symposium , which was attended by more than 100 experts in translation from various countries and at which ten scholars were invited to deliver papers. Three volumes of books on translation were published by the Department of Extramural Studies for the Symposium. A l l these are what we have done and are doing at present. Next year, according to our academic development plan and after years of preparation, we will have a more systematic programme for translation, with the expectation that in three years' time we will have a solid translation programme as a minor course i n our first degree examination. We also plan to set up a Translation Research Unit to revise our translation curriculum. Currently we are undertaking a Translation/Publication Project to translate the up-to-date outstanding publications of Western authors in the fields of mass communications, sociology and other subjects, in order to keep pace with the recent developments of the world. In addition, a group of dedicated friends, including members of the staff of the University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University, Baptist College and the Chinese Language Press Institute, are working diligently to establish a "Society for the Advancement of Translation". As translation concerns the whole community and is essential to its growth, this University wil l give whatever support it can to such an institution, hoping that it will be able to function at its full force. Realizing the importance of translation to our community, the community itself will have to give due attention and respect to the task. Translation is not a mechanical procedure to convert one language into another. Translation is not only a technique; it is also an art. A man proficient in both Chinese and English languages and possessing dictionaries as his tools, may not necessarily be a good translator. He needs experience, training and talent. I believe many talented people will be attracted to this profession if they are given due respect and status. I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to all secondary schools to introduce translation int o their curriculum and 1 would also like to suggest that translation be made a compulsory subject in both the Chinese and English Certificate of Education Examinations. This will not only help the young people to have some basic training in translation while they are in secondary schools but also provide them with a good opportunity to improve their Chinese and English. The Chinese University is now ready to introduce and develop a translation programme that includes teaching and research commensurate with its academic standard. Many of you who graduate today will not be able to study under such a Programme. However, whether you are pursuing advanced studies or starting your working career, you are expected to dedicate yourselves to the inter-flow of the Chinese and Western cultures and to rendering meaningful, selfless service to the community. In so doing, you would not only live up to the expectations of your Alma Mater, but also make a lasting contribution to your fellowmen . Let me wish you all success. Dr. the Hon. Tang Ping-Yuan's Address It gives me immense pleasure to take part in tonight's joyful celebration . I should add I have a sense of privilege and honour that I have been asked by the Vice-Chancellor to address this distinguishe assemblage. This year's graduation ceremony, like the event in previous years, marks the completion of a period of arduous academic preparation by a body of youth before venturing into the wide world on their own. But the event this year takes on a fresh significance. For side by side with the Graduates, we are fortunate to have an eminent group of Honorary Graduates. These gentlemen of distinction have already crowned thei r life-work up-to-now with records of brilliant success, each in his special chosen field. Today's function denotes a new round of public acclaim for their splendid achievements. To the new Graduates, their achievements are nothing less than a testimony of the kind of worthy objectives which are attainable if the sights are set high and the best efforts are made to reach them. They can take heart that with single-minded devotion and hard work they too can bring their own ideals into realization. They can well perceive it is not just personal eminence that will be the reward, but — 3 —