School of Humanities & Languages
UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture is now 100K alumni strong. We spoke with some of our alumni who are making the world a better place. Here are their stories.
Changing direction
Alisa's early life experiences of cultural transformation in Southern China ignited a curiosity about language and culture, which then led her to UNSW. With aspirations to become an English teacher, Alisa's path changed direction after completing two elective courses in translation and interpreting, where she quickly found herself with a new passion.
In these classes, Alisa discovered the immense power of translation to connect people from different cultures and ideologies. "It's clear that when you translate, there are two languages, but there are also different cultures and ideologies. Interpretation shows you they can coexist."
School
Degrees
Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics & Advanced Chinese Studies) 2008, Master of Philosophy (Translation Pedagogy) 2022, Current PhD Candidate
Current Title
Associate Lecturer in Translation and Interpreting
It made me appreciate the diversity in life, that different people can come together at the same time and be respected.
Embracing diversity
As an international student, Alisa remembers the culture shock she experienced navigating her new surroundings. Having changed her degree, she was apprehensive about joining a small cohort of linguistics students who had already formed their own networks throughout the year. However, despite all initial concerns, she was warmly welcomed into a community that embraced diversity and opened her mind to a new way of connecting that was founded on respect. This left a lasting impact on Alisa, and she strives to carry on this warmth with her students at UNSW.
“How they welcomed me, I knew that there was more to it. I want to show my students the same warmth."
Alisa Tian's Students
This foundation of respect was reflected in the way Alisa’s educators encouraged her to question conventional translation practices and explore alternative approaches. Her first lecturer of Translation and Interpreting Dr Yong Zhong made a lasting impact on Alisa and his critical thinking process remains foundational to her approach as a translator. "He pushed our ability to examine our own thoughts – asked us why do you translate this way? Is there another way? This critical thinking process got me where I am today."
Empowering communities
Today, Alisa’s career spans across multiple fields. She translates and subtitles current affairs programs like Insight and Dateline for SBS Australia into multiple languages. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Alisa's expertise in translation proved invaluable as she translated programs that provided communities (which included her mother) with much-needed comfort and connection during a challenging time. Alisa also plays a vital role in the justice system, providing interpretation services in courtrooms to ensure language barriers don't prevent access equity and representation. These experiences have reinforced her belief in the value of translation and the importance of bridging gaps between diverse communities.
As an associate lecturer in Translation and Interpreting at ADA's School of Humanities & Languages, she imparts her knowledge and experience to the next generation of translators. Alisa is now a PhD candidate at UNSW, where her research focuses on the practice and teaching of translation and theories, building on cultural understandings and the nuances of languages to improve translation.
"It’s not just simply copying and pasting words into a different form. Our languages may be different, but human nature is all the same...people have similar needs: fear of rejection and yearning for connection. My job is about breaking down these barriers so people can truly understand the source."
AI technologies, a human touch
While machine translation has revolutionised the field, Alisa believes technology should complement rather than replace human translators. "I can feel a sense of resistance to translation technology like Google Translate or AI software, and I often hear people say that all machines will replace humans. But I don't see it as a black-and-white." The advancements in machine translation have freed translators from laborious tasks, allowing them to focus on the more nuanced aspects of their work. "We can rely on technology to enable humans to be more human," Alisa emphasises.
Advice for students
Alisa encourages students to “give it a go.” As an international student, she often felt as though she was saying no to opportunities, fearful of the limitations of her English language skills. “What if I say something that sounds silly? What if people judge me because of my accent? But looking back, I know that wasn’t necessary, and people were encouraging and supportive.”
For those interested in entering the world of interpretation, Alisa advises students to embrace critical thinking and reflection in their translation choices. Understanding the reasoning behind decisions fosters a deeper understanding of the craft and allows translators to deliver work that resonates with diverse audiences.
Celebrating 100K Alumni
Join us in celebrating the achievements of UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture alumni like Alisa Tian.
Learn about the evolution of UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture and meet the UNSW ADA Alumni who are making the world a better place.