Prof. Dr. Wen Ren is Dean at the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation (GSTI) and Director of Research Centre for Country-Specific Translation and Interpretation Capacity (RECTIC) at Beijing Foreign Studies University, China. She also holds the role of Deputy Director of China National Committee for Graduate Education of Translation and Interpreting and Vice President of Conférence internationale permanente d'instituts universitaires de traducteurs et interprètes (CIUTI). She serves as a Standing Director of Translators Association of China (TAC), and within TAC’s Interpreting Committee as Deputy Director. She is also an Advisory Board Member of the Baker Center for Translation and Intercultural Studies, Shanghai International Studies University. In the field of research, she sits on the Editorial Boards of Translation and Interpreting Studies, Chinese Translators Journal, and Shanghai Journal of Translators. She is also co-editor of Interpreting and Society: An Interdisciplinary Journal. Her research interests encompass translation and interpreting from a sociological perspective, translation/interpreting pedagogy, interpreter/translator ethics, impact of technology on T&I, etc.
Major Publications
1. Journal Papers/Book Chapters
Ren, Wen and Lu Wang. 2023. “A corpus-based Study of Metadiscourse Features in Chinese-English Simultaneous Interpreting.” Frontiers in Psychology, 9 Nov., online.
Ren, Wen and Tianyuan Zhao. 2023. “A Comprehensive Competence Model for Chinese-to-Foreign Language Translators in the New Era.” Foreign Language Teaching and Research, Vol. 55 (6): 912-923.
Ren, Wen and Juanjuan Li. 2023. “Defining National Translation Capacity: A Comprehensive Framework for Analyzing Translation at Country Level.” Perspectives, 31(6): 1092-1109.
Ren, Wen and Tianyuan Zhao. 2023. “A Study on the Correlation Between a Country’s Translation Capacity and Its Economic Hard Power and Cultural Soft Power with an Analysis on the Role of Stakeholder Cooperation in Promoting Translation Capacity at the Country Level.” In Ren, Wen, ed. Collaboration in the World of Translation and Interpreting. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.
Zhu, Yuben and Wen Ren (corresponding author). 2023. “UNLTP as a forerunner of PBE model for conference interpreter training in China.” In Moratto, Riccardo & Irene A. Zhang, eds. Conference Interpreting in China: Practice, Training and Research. London and New York: Routledge, 27-48.
Ren, Wen and Tianyuan Zhao. 2023. “National Capacity to Disseminate Translations into Foreign Languages: Theory and Practice.” Shanghai Journal of Translators, (2): 1-7. [in Chinese]
Ren, Wen and Tianyuan Zhao. 2023. “National Translation Capacity and Its Index: An Interdisciplinary Perspective.” Chinese Translators Journal, (1): 44-52. [in Chinese]
Zhang, Yingjie and Wen Ren. 2022. “Translation and Culture: From Interculturality to Transculturality.” Social Science Research, (6): 181-189. [in Chinese]
Ren, Wen and Juan Huang. 2022. “Mapping the structure of interpreting studies in
China (1996–2019) through co-word analysis.” Perspectives, 30:2, 224-241.
Ren, Wen and Juanjuan Li. 2021. “’National Translation Capacity’ as a Concept and a Research Topic in Translation Studies.” Chinese Translators Journal, (4): 5-14. [in Chinese]
Ren, Wen. 2021. “Language and Beyond.” Contemporary Foreign Language Studies. (5): 24-27.
Ren, Wen. 2021. “Enhancing the National Capacity of Translating from Chinese.” People’s Daily, April 6.
Ren, Wen. 2020. “The Evolution of Interpreters’ Perception and Application of (Codes of) Ethics in China since 1949: A Sociological and Historical Perspective.” The Translator. 26:3, 274-296.
Ren, Wen and Mingyue Yin. 2020. “Conference Interpreter Ethics.” In Routledge Handbook of Translation and Ethics edited by Kaisha Koskinen and Nike K. Pokorn. London: Routledge, 195-210.
Ren, Wen. 2020. “(Re)thinking Translator Ethics in the New Era.” Shandong Foreign Language Teaching, 41 (3): 12-22. [in Chinese]
Huang, Juan and Wen Ren. 2020. “A Study on the Forgotten/Remembered Translator Yousong Zhang - Based on the Theories of Social Memory and Cultural Memory.” Social Science Research, (3): 193-202. [in Chinese]
Ren, Wen, Cong Guo & Juan Huang. 2020. “A Review of China’s 40 years of Interpreting Studies since Reform and Opening up”. Babel, (1) 1-28.
Ren, Wen. 2020. “Introduction.” In Proceedings of the Symposium on Translation Practice and Translation Education in the New Era edited by Wen Ren. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, I-IV. [in Chinese]
Cui, Enqiao and Wen Ren. “An Ethnographic Study on the Teaching of ‘Interpreting Profession and Interpreters’ Professional Ethics’." In Proceedings of the Symposium on Translation Practice and Translator/Interpreter Education in the New Era edited by Wen Ren. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 53-80. [in Chinese]
Ren, Wen and Juan Huang. 2019. “Interpreting Studies by Chinese Authors (1949-2017).” In Translation Studies in China: the State of the Art edited by Ziman Han and Defeng Li. Springer, 135-162.
Ren, Wen and Juan Huang. 2019. “A Co-word Analytical Exploration of Popular Topics and Development Trends in Interpreting Studies in China (2008-2018).” Chinese Translators Journal, (5): 37- 47. [in Chinese]
Liu, Chao and Wen Ren. 2019. “Rethinking Interpreting Studies in the New Era: A Review of the 12th National Conference and International Forum on Interpreting.” Contemporary Foreign Language Studies, (6): 115-123. [in Chinese]
Ren, Wen. 2019. “Ethical Challenges Posed by and Ethical Principles Proposed for Machine Translation.” Shanghai Journal of Translators, (5): 46-52. [in Chinese]
Sun, Sanjun and Wen Ren. 2019. “Types and Structures of the Degree Theses Required of China’s MTI Students.” Chinese Translators Journal, (4): 82-90. [in Chinese]
Ren, Wen. 2018. “Rethinking the Translator and Interpreter Education Model in the New Era: Challenges and Recommendations.” Contemporary Foreign Language Studies, (6): 92-98. [in Chinese]
Ren, Wen. 2018. “On Constructing the Theoretical Discourses on Interpreting in China”. Chinese Translators Journal, (5): 21-26. [in Chinese]
Zheng, Lingqian and Wen Ren (correspondence author). 2018. “Interpreting as an Influencing Factor on News Reports: A Study of Interpreted Chinese Political Discourse Recontextualized in English News.” Perspectives: Studies in Translation Theory and Practice, 26(5): 691-707.
Yao, Bin and Wen Ren. 2018. “Applying the Case Methods to the Teaching of Interpreting: The Example of Faithfulness/Loyalty in Interpreting Practice.” Foreign Language Education in China (Quarterly), (2): 20-25.
Ren, Wen. 2017. “De- /Re-construction of the Interpreter’s Speaking/Hearing Roles - Goffman’s Sociolinguistic Perspective.” Chinese Translators Journal, (4): 18-25.
Ren, Wen. “Cultural Translation from Chinese: An Inspiration from the Concept of ‘Cognition Gap’ in Philosophical Semiotics.”[N] Chinese Social Sciences Today, 21 July, 2017.
Ren, Wen. 2016. “Translation and Interpreting Ethics in the Age of Smart Language Services.” In Proceedings of the CFLC International Forum on Smart Language Services: Globalization and Localization edited by Ping Li. Chengdu: Sichuan University Press, 10-18.
Ren, Wen. 2016. “The ‘Sociological Turn’ of Interpreting Studies – An Interview of and Dialogue with Professor Claudia Angelelli.” Chinese Translators Journal, (1) 70-76.
Ren, Wen and Han Xu. 2015. “China’s Public Service Interpreting Involving Minority Languages – Based on Bourdieu’s Field Analysis Theory.” Journal of Southwest University for Nationalities, (2): 34-40.
Ren, Wen. 2015. “Foreword.” In Minxia Hu. The Interpreter’s Decision: An Exploration of the Information Processing Errors, Triggers and Solutions of Simultaneous Interpreting [M]. Chengdu: Sichuan University Press, i-vi.
Ren, Wen. 2014. “The Cultural Contexts of the Orient and the Occident and the Semiotic Markedness of the ‘Oriental Woman’.” Journal of Sichuan University, 194 (5): 76-83.
Ren, Wen and Han Xu. 2013. “Field, Habitus and Capital in Community Interpreting – A Sociological Perspective.” Chinese Translators Journal, (5): 16-22.
Ren, Wen. 2013. “Foreword.” In The Art of English Public Speaking: Teaching ·Practice·Research - Selected Papers from the Second National Symposium on Practicing and Teaching the Art of English Public Speaking edited by Wen Ren and Zhaoxia Tian. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, i-v..
Ren, Wen. 2013. “Revisiting Foreign Language Majors’ Critical Thinking Skills: Absence or Presence? – Incorporating CT Skill Training into the Educational Process of Foreign Language Majors with English Public Speaking Course as an Example.” Foreign Languages in China, (1): 10-17.
Mason, Ian and Wen Ren. 2012. “Power in Face-to-face Interpreting Events.” The Sociological Turn in Translation and Interpreting Studies edited by Claudia V. Angelelli, special issue of Translation and Interpreting Studies, 7(2): 233-252.
Ren, Wen. 2012. “Interpreter Internship Program within the Outcome-based Education Model.” Chinese Translators Journal, (6): 46-51.
Ren, Wen. 2012. “Major Approaches of Contemporary Interpreting Studies in the West.” New Perspectives in Translation Studies, 3-23.
Fan, Zhijia and Wen Ren. 2012. “User Responses and User Expectations in Interpreting – Contradiction and Reasons.” China’s Foreign Language Education, (5): 33-39.
Ren, Wen and Ian Mason. 2011. “Power in Dialogue Interpreting – a Perspective of Sociology of Interpreting.” Journal of Sichuan University, 177 (6): 61-69.
Ren, Wen. 2011. “On Interpreters’ ‘Neutrality’.” Chinese Translators Journal, (6): 36-41.
Ren, Wen and Liu Qinyao. 2011. “On the Employment of Foreign Teachers of English from the Perspective of Higher Education of Internationalization.” Journal of Xinjiang University, 39 (2): 49-53.
Ren, Wen & Yang, Ping. Towards Internationalization: Current Status and Development Trends of China’s Interpreting Studies [J]. Chinese Translators Journal, 2011(1).
Ren, Wen. 2011. “Interpreting Studies from the Perspective of Bakhtin’s Theory of Dialogue.” New Perspectives in Translation Studies, 303-317.
Ren, Wen and Minxia Hu. 2010. “Memory Mechanism and Memory Training Strategies in Consecutive Interpreting: A Cognitive Perspective.” New Perspectives in Translation Studies, 251-264.
Ren, Wen. 2009. “Deconstructing Liaison Interpreters’ Invisibility.” Comparative Literature: East & West (12): 122-136.
Ren, Wen. Development of Professional Translation/Interpreting Teaching and Implementation of the TOT Project [J]. Chinese Translators Journal, 2009(2).
Ren, Wen. “The First Time Strategies” in EFL Public Speaking Class [J]. Link and Think, 2009(2).
Ren, Wen. The Dialogue Interpreter’s Visibility [A]. In XVIII World Congress Proceedings. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2008.
Ren, Wen. The Complementarity between the Linguistic Approach and Cultural Studies Approach after the Cultural Turn of Translation Studies – An Interview of Dr. Ian Mason [J]. Chinese Translators Journal, 2007(6).
Ren, Wen. English Public Speaking Course and Development of Ability and Quality [J]. Foreign Languages in China, 2007(6).
Ren, Wen. 2007. “Esperanza’s Home Is in Her Heart.” Comparative Literature: East & West (9): 113-119.
Ren, Wen & Hu Minxia. Assessing and Re-designing SI Training Course in China’s Universities [J]. Journal of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, 2007(3).
Ren, Wen. The Woman Warrior: From Silence to Voice [A]. In Foreign Language, Literature and Culture (10). Chengdu: Sichuan University Press, 2007.
Ren, Wen. CATTI, What Can Be Learned from NAATI? [A]. In Professionalization in Interpreting: International Experience and Developments in China. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2006.
Ren, Wen. Interpreting Chinese and Western Personal Names [J]. Tianfu New Media, 2006(5).
Ren, Wen & Jiang Lihua. Reinterpreting the Interpreters’ Role: A Discourse Analytical Perspective [J]. Chinese Translators Journal, 2006(2).
Ren, Wen. The Woman Warrior as a Bildungsroman [A]. In Foreign Language Teaching & Research. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2005.
Ren, Wen. Chicana Literature: A Voice That Cannot Afford to Be Ignored [J]. Journal of Southwest University for Nationalities, 2005(6).
Ren, Wen. CASHL and Me [J]. CASHL Bulletin, 2005(3).
Ren, Wen. A Contrastive Analysis of Aptitude Tests and Accreditation for Interpreters in China and Australia [J]. Chinese Translators Journal, 2005(1).
Ren, Wen. 2004. “Esperanza’s Development of An Identity in The House on Mango Street.” Comparative Literature: East & West (6).
Ma Hua & Ren, Wen. Nonverbal Communication in Interpreting [A]. In Collection of Papers by Sichuan University Graduate Students and Young Faculties. Chengdu: Sichuan University Press, 2002.
Ren, Wen. Coping Tactics for Impromptu Speeches and Q & A in Public Speaking [A]. In Foreign Language, Literature and Culture (3). Chengdu: Sichuan University Press, 1999.
Ren, Wen. On the Relations between Interpreting Theories and Practice [A]. In Collection of Papers on Foreign Language Teaching and Research. Chengdu: Sichuan People’s Press, 1998.
Ren, Wen. A Tentative Study on Interpreting Teaching [A]. In Teaching·Management·Reform. Chengdu: Sichuan University Press, 1998.
Ren, Wen. The Imperishable Women Images in The Sound and Fury [J]. Sichuan University Journal, 1998(2).
Ren, Wen. The Women Characters in William Faulkner’s The Sound and Fury [A]. In Foreign Language, Literature and Culture (1). Chengdu: Sichuan University Press, 1997.
2. Monograph/Research Reports/Textbooks
Ren, Wen, et al. National Translation Capacity [M]. Beijing: The Commercial Press, 2023.
Ren, Wen, ed. Collaboration in the World of Translation and Interpreting [C]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2023.
Ren, Wen. Liaison Interpreters’ Subjectivity Consciousness [M]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2010.
Ren, Wen. A Coursebook of Consecutive Interpreting, 2nd edition [M]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2012.
Ren, Wen. A Coursebook of Interpreting between English and Chinese [M]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2011.
Ren, Wen. On Interpreting between Mandarin Chinese, Minority Languages in China, and Foreign Languages (Research Report to the Ministry of Education), 2015.
Ren, Wen. A Study of the Multilingual Policies of the EU and Their Implication to the Language Policies in China in Supportive of the Minority Languages (Research Report to the International Department, Ministry of Education), 2015.
Ren, Wen. ed. Proceedings of the Symposium on Translation Practice and Translator/Interpreter Education in the New Era [C]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2020.
Ren, Wen & Tian, Zhaoxia, eds. The Art of English Public Speaking: Teaching ·Practice·Research - Selected Papers from the Second National Symposium on Practicing and Teaching the Art of English Public Speaking [C]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2013.
Ren, Wen. ed. Interpreting in the Age of Globalization – Proceedings of the 8th National Conference and International Forum on Interpreting [C]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2011.
Li, Chao, Xin Ling & Ren, Wen. College English: Watching·Listening·Speaking [M], Teacher’s Book 2. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2007.
Li, Chao, Xin Ling & Ren, Wen. College English: Watching·Listening·Speaking [M], Students’ Book 2. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2007.
Li, Chao, Xin Ling & Ren, Wen. College English: Watching·Listening·Speaking [M], Teacher’s Book 1. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2006.
Li, Chao, Xin Ling & Ren, Wen. College English: Watching·Listening·Speaking [M], Students’ Book 1. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2006.
3. Translated Works:
Understanding Xi Jinping’s Educational Philosophy. Translation team leader. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, Higher Education Press, 2022.
SuperVision and Instructional Leadership: A Developmental Approach. Translation team leader. C. D. Glickman et al., Shanghai: East China Normal University, 2020.
A Visual Encyclopedia of Animals. Co-translator. Volume 1. Chengdu: Sichuan University Press, 1997.
A Visual Encyclopedia of Animals. Co-translator. Volume 2. Chengdu: Sichuan University Press, 1997.
4. Research Projects
2022-2025: “Country-specific Translation Capacity: Theoretical Framework and International Comparison,” Beijing Foreign Studies University’s Double First Class Initiative Fund.
2021-2023: “English/Chinese Conference Simultaneous Interpretation Corpus Construction,” Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
2018-2023: “The International Experience of and Chinese Approaches to Educating High-caliber Translators and Interpreters against the Backdrop of the National Strategy of Cultural Translation from Chinese,” National Social Science Foundation.
2018-2021: “The Evolution of Interpreters’ (Code of) Ethics and Professionalization of Interpreting in China’s Mainland after 1949,” Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
2017-2019: “Training Translators and Interpreters for China’s Foreign Discourse System,” China Academy of Translation.
2017-2019: “Constructing Case Database for the MTI’s Interpreter Training Program,” China National Committee for Translation and Interpreting Education.
2015-2016: “The Sociological Turn of Interpreting Studies,” Sichuan Federation of Social Science Circles.
2014-2015: “EU’s Multilingualism Policy and its Implication to China’s Language Policy for the Ethnic Minorities,” International Department, Ministry of Education.
2013-2016: “An Exploratory Study on the Reform of Foreign Language Education – ‘Flipped Classroom’ in EFL Public Speaking Course,” Education Department of Sichuan Province.
2012-2015: “The Language Policies of EU, North America and Australia and Their Implications to China’s Interpreting Involving Minority Languages,” Sichuan University.
2011-2015: “Interpreting between Mandarin Chinese, China’s Minority Languages and Foreign Languages,” Ministry of Education.
2010-2012: “Internship Models of MTI Students,” China National Committee for Translation and Interpreting Education.
2009-2011: “Liaison Interpreters’ Subjectivity,” Sichuan University.
5. Awards/Honours/Distinction
2023: CTTI Grand Prize for Excellent Achievements in Think Tank Research
2022: 2nd prize winner, National Award for Excellent Teaching Achievements (Ministry of Education)
2021: 1st prize winner, Provincial-level Award for Excellent Teaching Achievements (Beijing Municipal Education Commission)
2012: Excellence Prize winner of the 15th Outstanding Research Achievement Award of Sichuan (Sichuan Provincial government)
2009: 2nd prize winner, National Award for Excellent Teaching Achievements (Ministry of Education)
2009: 1st prize winner, Provincial Award for Excellent Teaching Achievements (Sichuan Department of Education)
2008: Head of the Team for Teaching Chinese-English Interpreting – National-level Excellence Course
2008: 1st prize winner, Sichuan University Award for Excellent Teaching Achievements
2008: 1st prize winner of Social Science Research Award presented by the Translators Association of Sichuan
2007: 3rd prize-winner of the 12th Outstanding Research Achievement Award of Sichuan (Sichuan Provincial government)
2006-2008: Head of the Team for Teaching Chinese-English Interpreting – Provincial-level Excellence Course
2004: Sichuan University Young Faculty Award for Excellent Teaching and Research
2003: Sichuan University Young Faculty Award for Excellent Teaching and Research
1997: National Excellent Teacher Award granted by the Baosteel Education Fund