Talking the Walk: The Complexity and Nuance of Cultural Translation

Talking the Walk: Reflections on 360 Riot Walk is a series of online panel discussions that use 360 Riot Walk as an entry point to explore the history of anti-Asian violence and white supremacy in Vancouver.

In the second of three panels, translators for the Punjabi, Chinese and Japanese versions of the project address the power and subtleties of language and the challenges they encountered in translating the script of 360 Riot Walk. With Catherine Chan, Yurie Hoyoyon, Masha Kaur, facilitated by Henry Tsang.

360 Riot Walk is an interactive walking tour of the 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver that traces the history and route of the mob that attacked the Chinese Canadian and Japanese Canadian communities following the demonstration and parade organized by the Asiatic Exclusion League in Vancouver. Participants are brought into the social and political environment of the time where racialized communities were targeted through legislated as well as physical acts of exclusion and violence. The soundtrack is available in four languages of the local residents of the period: English, Cantonese, Japanese and Punjabi.

Panelists

Catherine Chan is a columnist, translator and communications professional who has worked in local Chinese language print and TV media. She is currently involved in the communications and public engagement sector.

Yurie Hoyoyon is a translator and voice actress who is currently voicing the Japanese version of the YouTube phenomenon, Kids Diana Show, including its anime series.

Masha Kaur is an author whose stories, published in English, Hindi and Punjabi, draw from folklore and nature. She is also a translator and communications professional.

Moderator

Henry Tsang is an artist and occasional curator whose projects explore the spatial politics of history, language, community, food and cultural translation in relationship to place. Henry teaches at Emily Carr University of Art & Design.

360 Riot Walk is an artwork by local artist Henry Tsang whose projects explore the spatial politics of history, language, community, food and cultural translation in relationship to place. His artworks employ video, photography, language, interactive media, food and convivial events in the form of gallery exhibitions, public art, pop-up street food offerings, curated dinners and more. Henry teaches at Emily Carr University of Art & Design.

This series is hosted by the Powell Street Festival in partnership with the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Financial support for the creation of 360 Riot Walk was provided by Creative BC and the BC Arts Council, Neighbourhood Matching Fund of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, and a SSHRC Explore Grant through Emily Carr University.