In Loving Memory of Prof. Liu Ching-chih

8 Feb 2025

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悼念劉靖之教授
In Fond Memory of
PROFESSOR LIU CHING-CHIH (1935.2.21 - 2025.2.4)

Professor Liu Ching-chih, President Emeritus and Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Translation Society, passed away peacefully on 4 February 2025 at the age of ninety.

Born in Shanghai in February 1935, Prof. Liu moved to Hong Kong in May 1948. He earned his first degree in Chinese Studies (1972) from the University of London and attained his MPhil (1979) and PhD (1983) degrees from the University of Hong Kong, researching on zaju of the Yuan Dynasty. He began his illustrious career as a translator at the local bureau of the British Broadcasting Corporation (1966-1973). He then served as administrator and researcher at the University of Hong Kong and became Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre of Asian Studies (now incorporated into the Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences). From 1996 to 2001 he was Professor and Honorary Professor of the Department of Translation, Lingnan University.

The cultivated academic joined the Hong Kong Translation Society in 1974, became Editor of its Executive Committee in 1976 and had been a committed member ever since. Between 1986 and 2004, he had led the Society in the capacity of President for 13 years and was conferred upon the titles of Honorary Fellow (1991) and President Emeritus (2001). In 1995 he helped to launch the Society’s official journal Translation Quarterly – the first of its kind attributed to peer-reviewed scholarly articles on translation published in both Chinese and English in the world – where he served as Founding Chief Editor, Chief Editor (till 2004) and Chairman of the Editorial Board (till 2016). His other remarkable achievement is documentation of the Society’s history over two volumes, The Hong Kong Translation Society: A Concise History (1971-2001) and (1971-2006), together with his unfinished Memoirs trailing the Society’s development up to 2018, released in 6 installments of Translation Quarterly (Nos. 87-92, 2018-2019).

Better known as C.C. to both colleagues and friends, Prof. Liu was a renowned and prolific researcher in not only translation and musicology, but also Chinese literature and the historiography of music and translation. He was author and editor of two dozen anthologies on music, more than a dozen anthologies on translation, two monographs on classical Chinese literature, alongside multifarious articles on music criticism, culture, translation and books. The versatile scholar was also a born leader, having orchestrated numerous consequential projects and conferences on music, translation and Chinese literature.

The music fan-cum-art lover was also an avid collector and generous donor of a vast array of invaluable printed and audio-visual materials on his research areas, in particular modern Chinese music. Three library collections named after him are housed in the University of Hong Kong Libraries, the Hong Kong Central Library, and the Library of the Institute of Chinese Studies of the University of Heidelberg. His works and collections have bequeathed to future generations of researchers a sea of physical and intellectual wealth.

Prof. Liu was long-time President (1986-2004) and President Emeritus of the Hong Kong Ethnomusicology Society; Visiting Fellow of the Research Institute of Music, China Academy of Art and Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing; and Visiting Professor of Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Jiling Academy of Arts. He had a long-time relationship with the (Chartered) Institute of Linguists, UK, where he was Adviser (1992-2002), Life Fellow and Honorary Life Member; he also served as Founding Chairman (1984-1990) and President (1990-2004) of the Institute’s Hong Kong Society. The man of service had also assumed major advisory and honorary positions in numerous organisations, such as Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation, Hong Kong Sino-British Fellowship Trust Scholars’ Association, Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Hong Kong Philharmonic Society and Hong Kong Children’s Choir.

The Hong Kong Translation Society is deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Liu Ching-chih. As President Emeritus and Founding Chief Editor of Translation Quarterly, Prof. Liu made tremendous contributions to translation in Hong Kong and the development of HKTS. His mentorship has guided many younger scholars and translators. His hearty laugh, sonorous voice and encouraging presence remain vivid in our memories as he urged colleagues to promote and elevate the scholarship of translation in Hong Kong and HKTS to greater heights. A towering tree that provided shelter and nurtured a generation of translators and translation scholars has fallen, but his legacy lives on through the many he mentored, who will continue his great work and initiatives. We shall forever cherish his memory and honour his feats.

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HKTS
Tribute to C.C.
The Hong Kong Translation Society is deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Liu Ching-chih. As Founding Chief Editor of the Society’s Translator Quarterly and President Emeritus, Prof. Liu made tremendous contributions to translation in Hong Kong, particularly through his invaluable documentation of HKTS’s history. His mentorship has guided many younger scholars and translators. His encouraging presence remains vivid in our memories as he urged younger scholars and practitioners to promote and elevate the scholarship of translation in Hong Kong and HKTS to greater heights. A towering tree that provided shelter and nurtured a generation of translators and translation scholars has fallen, but his legacy lives on through the many he mentored, who will continue his great work and initiatives. HKTS shall forever cherish his memory and honour his legacy.

Janice Pan, on behalf of HKTS

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給CC
不敢相信，睽違數載，
你已匆匆離去。
回首往昔，曾為拓廣會務
勤勉不懈，並肩作戰；
最難忘壞，你的音容笑貌
性格爽朗，舉措逍遙；
愿在天國，你仍從容自在
樂觀如昔，瀟灑依舊。

Serena Jin (2025.2.5)
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Tribute to C.C.
Over the decades CC has been instrumental in setting up some of the frameworks that help the Society advance the interests of translators in Hong Kong. His indefatigable efforts have made the Society what it is. He shows through his own work the value of public service. For him, serving others is "charity work" that gives meaning to our professional careers. While he is gone, the inspiration he provides lives on.

Leo Chan
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To C.C. in Heaven
It is hard to believe that you are gone. Your hearty laugh and sonorous voice still ring in the air. Your ambition and endeavour for attainment are inspiring. Your passion for life and music are enviable. Your leadership and nurturing of the younger generations are most encouraging and respected. We will all remember you. I have passed on the torch and the Translation Society is now in abled and determined young hands. You were lucky to have Amy by your side through your good and ailing days. May you rest in peace.

Elsie Chan
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追憶劉靖之教授——跨越翻譯與音樂的學術人生

2025年2月4日，香港翻譯學界痛失一位卓越的學者——劉靖之教授。身為嶺南大學翻譯系教授、香港翻譯學會前會長，以及《翻譯季刊》的長年主編，他以無數的學術研究、批評性論述，奠定了香港翻譯學的基石。他不僅是一位翻譯學者，更是一位音樂評論家，跨足語言與音樂、文學和藝術之間，讓文字與旋律共鳴，展現出學問的廣度與深度。

他的睿智見解與坦率風格，使人望之心折。每當聆聽他精闢的分析，總能感受到他對學術的熱誠與對真理的堅持。與他對話，是我珍貴的學習時刻；他的批評不帶矯飾，他的觀點直指核心。他的學術貢獻，遠不止於著作與論文，而在於他對香港翻譯界的深耕與推動，使後進者得以站在巨人的肩膀上，眺望更遠的未來。

近年，他歷經中風，卻以驚人的毅力與自律，逐步回復常軌。從友人傳來的照片與影片中，我見到了他不屈不撓的生命力，不僅與病痛抗衡，更以剛毅的精神展現生命的尊嚴。他的率真與自重，讓人深刻體會，一位真正的才子，從不僅僅依賴天賦，而是以無比的堅持與努力，一步一腳印地成就不凡。

然而，生命總在不經意間令人驚嘆何其無常!!年假期間驟聞訃報，內心始終難以接受。世間再無他的身影與話語，只能遙望天際，緬懷他的思想與精神，在翻譯與音樂的世界裡，持續閃耀。

送別劉靖之教授

風起時，長夜聞琴，
誰解曲中深意?
翻譯如橋，橫跨彼岸，
音樂如舟，載夢遠行。

學問未竟，筆落無聲，
文章千卷留世。
寒燈夜雨，猶憶高論，
此心不滅，何處尋君?

靖之教授安息，
回歸天地之間，
化為風，化為光，
如月永在，如星永伴。

楊承淑寫於2025年2月8日
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悼念劉靖之教授

在蛇年初始，與香港友人的互相祝福中竟得知劉靖之教授在近日離我們而去。 離港返台已有12年，情懷永在，只是往事難尋。初到港時，因與賴恬昌前輩結緣，而與劉教授伉儷及他們的好友有過每月上環一聚，共飲同餐的時光。聊音樂、翻譯、藝術等等，是我18年香港歲月的星光點點，閃爍在回憶的天空。其中很多細微小事，溫暖了我，是我對香港一往情深不忘的底色。Amy，多年未見，但記得你所有的好，記得暮色漸合時你輕輕一扇一扇地關上了窗，擋住了半山的寒氣。你一定要節哀！千祈珍重！

童元方
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In Memoriam: Professor CC Liu

With a heavy heart, I reflect on the passing of Prof. CC Liu, a distinguished scholar, brilliant mentor, and cherished friend. His contributions to translation studies in Hong Kong have left an indelible mark on the academic community and all who knew him.

I first met CC 25 years ago while working at HKU Space. He continued to guide me as my mentor and as the Advisory Board Chair for Lingnan’s translation programme, where he had also served as Chair Professor. CC's profound influence on my career and intellectual development is immeasurable. He was a beacon of knowledge, always eager to share his insights and wisdom.

I fondly recall many moments of guidance and encouragement from him, especially our thoughtful discussions over lunch at Himalaya restaurant in Wanchai. His feedback and support were pivotal in shaping my academic path. CC's dedication to nurturing younger peers and fostering an inclusive environment was truly inspiring. I am deeply honoured to have known Prof. Liu at the beginning of my career.

With deepest respect and gratitude,

Rachel Lung
Lingnan University