Li Wei
Li Wei is a name that resonates with quiet determination and steady progress. Born in a modest town in eastern China, Li grew up surrounded by books, classical music, and the persistent hum of his father’s old typewriter. From an early age, he displayed a keen interest in language—not just in mastering his native Mandarin, but in unraveling the structures and rhythms of foreign tongues. By the time he entered university, he was already fluent in English and dabbling in French, driven less by academic obligation and more by a genuine curiosity about how people communicate across cultures.
Academic Pursuits
Li Wei pursued a degree in Comparative Literature at Fudan University, where he distinguished himself not only through academic rigor but also through his thoughtful critiques of postcolonial narratives in global fiction. His senior thesis, which examined the translation of emotional nuance in 20th-century Chinese poetry into English, earned high praise from faculty and was later published in a regional humanities journal. After graduation, he secured a scholarship to study at the University of Edinburgh, where he completed a master’s program focused on literary translation and cross-cultural hermeneutics.
Professional Journey
Upon returning to China, Li Wei joined a boutique publishing house specializing in translated works. He quickly rose through the editorial ranks, known for his meticulous eye and deep respect for both source and target texts. Over the years, he has shepherded dozens of international titles into the Chinese market—from Scandinavian crime novels to Latin American magical realism—always ensuring that the soul of the original work remains intact. In 2022, he co-founded a small literary collective that hosts bilingual reading events in Shanghai, aiming to foster dialogue between local writers and visiting authors from abroad.
Personal Philosophy
Li Wei believes that language is not merely a tool for communication but a living bridge between worlds. He often says, “Every word carries a history; every sentence, a worldview.” This philosophy informs not only his professional choices but also his daily interactions. He volunteers regularly at community centers, teaching English to elderly residents who wish to connect with their grandchildren living overseas. For Li, translation is never a one-way street—it’s an act of mutual understanding, requiring humility, patience, and a willingness to listen deeply.
Looking Ahead
Currently, Li Wei is working on his first original novel, written simultaneously in English and Chinese—a deliberate experiment in bicultural storytelling. Set against the backdrop of Shanghai’s rapidly changing urban landscape, the narrative weaves together themes of memory, displacement, and belonging. Though still in its early stages, the project has already attracted interest from several international publishers. Beyond the page, Li continues to advocate for greater visibility of Chinese voices in global literary conversations, convinced that stories, when shared with care, have the power to dissolve borders more effectively than any policy ever could.
