Author: Kwok Man Ho

In Realia as Carriers of National and Historical Overtones, the concept of Realia discussed in the article is fascinating because it shows that translation is not just about finding one-to-one equivalents for words but about bridging cultural differences. In translation, Realia serves as a cultural bridge, helping to convey the unique aspects of one culture to another. I completely agree with this perspective, as I’ve experienced it personally while learning Japanese. For example, in Japanese, there’s a term called Satoyamaさとやま. It refers to rural communities that live in harmony with nature, embodying a relationship between people and the environment. Translating Satoyama into English or Chinese is incredibly challenging because it’s not just a literal concept—it carries cultural, historical, and philosophical significance. To truly understand Satoyama, you need to explore how Japanese people value nature and integrate it into their way of life. A simple word-for-word translation cannot capture this depth. This reflects the idea that translation is more than linguistic conversion—it’s about understanding and conveying the cultural background and worldview behind the terms. As someone learning Japanese, I’ve realized that to fully grasp these cultural terms, I need to immerse myself in their context and history. This is why Realia is so important in translation; it not only preserves the meaning of words but also fosters cross-cultural understanding.

“Getting Personal: Reflexivity, Positionality, and Feminist Research” by Kim England.

Kim England’s article emphasizes that research is not purely objective—it is inherently subjective, and this subjectivity is essential for building trust between the researcher and participants. She highlights the importance of the relationship between the two parties, especially in sensitive or controversial topics. I think this idea is incredibly relevant because trust is a cornerstone of ethical and effective research.

For example, I once conducted a project on online romance scams, where victims were cheated out of money in fake relationships. This was a very sensitive topic because many participants felt embarrassed or feared being recognized by others. As a result, they were hesitant to share their stories. Building trust in these situations was critical. I had to ensure that my approach was empathetic and nonjudgmental to create a safe space for them to open up.

England also emphasizes the importance of avoiding bias as a researcher. I completely agree. If I had approached the topic with preconceived notions about the participants—perhaps thinking of them as gullible or careless—I would not have been able to conduct the research effectively. Bias not only damages the relationship with participants but also distorts the data and compromises the integrity of the research.

Kim England states that “The researcher is not a neutral machine collecting facts but is an integral part of the research setting.” For instance, in her failed project on Toronto’s lesbian community, she acknowledges how her own identity as a white, heterosexual academic created barriers: “My biography and positionality influenced how participants viewed me and what they shared, ultimately shaping the project’s trajectory.”

I think the best memories during the winter break was getting the chance to chat with M, Milena, and Shara. It felt so valuable to make friends, especially nowadays when trust can be hard to come by because of scams and other issues. I truly treasure the conversations we shared—it was a joy to connect with them.

On the other hand, the worst memories was hearing about the earthquake in Japan and the wildfires in LA. It was heartbreaking and made me reflect on what’s happening in our world. It reminded me to cherish every moment of life and not to focus on too minor issues. 

We finished the interview assignment during the winter break. I think interviews are very important because they serve as a form of documentation, capturing the history and culture of a particular period. Through dialogues, we gain insights into the key issues and values of that time. For example, when I read interviews, I notice topics like AI, climate change, and LGBT rights being discussed. These conversations reflect the cultural concerns and priorities of the moment. That’s why interviews and dialogues are so essential—they help preserve the importance of a specific period in history.

I love M’s and Francis’ interviews because they feel like a motion picture. I mean, the way they describe time, setting, location, and even their movements makes it feel like a scene from a film. It’s so easy for me to visualize those moments. I really enjoy this kind of descriptive storytelling.

Moreover, I really enjoyed Lauryn and Georgia’s discussion about language. I completely agree that language is a crucial cultural element for understanding other countries and their cultures. The letters and words themselves reflect the importance of a country’s identity. For instance, I’m currently learning Japanese, and through this process, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. For example, their emphasis on politeness and the way they express themselves respectfully highlights their values and cultural characteristics.

Finally, I really enjoyed Lilia and Khloe’s talk about fashion. It’s such a creative way to get to know someone better through their sense of style. Hearing Koyi’s answers about her approach to dressing, her choices, and what fashion means to her gave me a deeper understanding of her personality. Using fashion as a method to explore someone’s identity is unique and insightful.

Transculture refers to the process of transcending or going beyond individual cultures to create new, shared cultural expressions or understandings. It often involves the blending, interaction, and exchange of cultural elements from different societies or groups.

Transculture focuses on the fluidity and hybridization of cultures, fostering new, integrated forms of cultural practices. It recognizes that cultures are not static but dynamic, constantly evolving through interactions, migrations, and exchanges.

For example, in art, music, or language, transculture might manifest as a fusion of styles, ideas, or traditions from various cultural backgrounds, creating something innovative and universal. It’s a concept that helps us explore the shared humanity and interconnectedness across cultural boundaries.

A great example of transculture in Hong Kong is its food culture, particularly the fusion cuisine that blends Chinese and Western influences. One iconic example is the Hong Kong-style café culture (Cha Chaan Teng).

In Cha Chaan Tengs, you’ll find dishes like pineapple buns with butter, Hong Kong-style milk tea, and baked pork chop rice, which combine Western ingredients or cooking techniques with traditional Chinese flavors. These dishes emerged during the colonial period, reflecting Hong Kong’s unique position as a cultural crossroads where East met West.

I truly love this course because it has allowed me to connect with so many amazing people from different places and cultures. It’s fascinating to learn about all of you, and this experience has helped me gain a deeper understanding of culture, space, and my own environment. It has encouraged me to explore new perspectives, discover new ideas, and reflect on how our everyday lives shape who we are. 

As a naturally curious person, I always find myself asking “why,” and this course has been a wonderful opportunity to expand my knowledge about the world through the lens of different cultures. I especially enjoyed the discussions about feedback. It was eye-opening to explore the variety of feedback styles, which are so different from the often angry or hateful comments we encounter online. This course has been both inspiring and thought-provoking, and I feel truly enriched by the experience.

To Lilia : I love how every time I see your interviews, you’re dressed differently.

After watching your  videos, I feel like we’ve become friends. Even though we only meet online once a week, it now feels like we share a real connection. I’ve gotten to know more about your personal lives and backgrounds, which makes this experience so meaningful. It’s truly a valuable opportunity to connect and understand each other better.
And for some reason, I absolutely loved the top shot that you use to see u in the street, with the camera moving around you, that left a strong impression on me. It was a very impactful shot.

To Lauryn : I really loved your mention of the play culture in Brazil—it’s so fascinating. Honestly, it makes me want to live there because of this concept. Life in Hong Kong is incredibly stressful, and as I mentioned in my video, many people around me are struggling with mental health issues like depression and PTSD. I feel like adopting something similar to the paid culture could be a much-needed way for us to relax and take care of ourselves.”

After the 1-to-1 tutorial with our course leader Marsha, I gained a lot of inspiration from our conversation. We discussed my Unit 1 assignment in detail, and Marsha suggested that I explore the cultural background of both myself and the city in greater depth. She specifically encouraged me to research Cantonese culture, which I found to be a fascinating idea that I hadn’t considered before.

As I began researching, I discovered many unique characteristics of Cantonese culture that I hadn’t previously thought about. I carefully selected some of these elements to incorporate into my assignment, as they align well with the themes I’m working on. I’m very grateful for Marsha’s comments and suggestions, as they helped me see my project from a new perspective. Overall, I found the 1-to-1 tutorial incredibly helpful and valuable for refining my approach.

After receiving all the comments from my cohort, I gained many valuable insights and felt more confident about my video. I’ve been inspired to modify some aspects, particularly the cultural background of myself and the cities I discussed. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching all my cohort’s videos. Their diverse and creative ideas were not only interesting but also inspiring, helping me learn more about their perspectives and understand them better. I truly appreciated their feedback, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to engage with their work. Thank you so much for the thoughtful comments!

Will you spend 5 mins everyday to write a story that happened in your everyday life ?

I want to try but it is really hard to commit this habit. By practicing this regularly, we can cultivate a greater appreciation for life and its small, beautiful moments.

The “lens” of storytelling allows you to see your life in new ways and uncover connections and insights you might not have noticed and it allows us to communicate effectively, build relationships, and express ideas in impactful ways.

For me, “homework for life” is useful and important, not only in personal life, but also in career. Sharing life stories shows others that their experiences also matter. It can inspire people to reflect on their own lives and share their stories, creating an effect of connection and self-awareness. For the storyteller, it builds confidence by showing that even ordinary experiences have value and meaning.

I think “homework for life” helps bridge differences between people. Personal stories allow us to share unique perspective while finding common ground with others and build trust and understanding by opening up about experiences.

In my industry, if you are good at telling stories, you will be successful . It is not about the story itself, it is about the way of storytelling.

Lately, I am interested in the stand up comedy. I think all comedians are good at telling stories. Comedians engage their audience with a unique combination of tone, expressive gestures, and well-timed pauses, transforming even simple stories into dynamic and interesting narratives. They find universal truths in everyday experiences ensuring the audience can relate.

Comedians show us that stand-up can become spaces for cross-cultural dialogue and self-expression. The story itself doesn’t need to be extraordinary—the way it’s told makes all the difference. A good storyteller can find meaning and entertainment in anything.