At The Time When (2024)
Between Faces, Stories and Power (2023)
flo-o-o (2023)
The State of Being Vanished (2021)
dok dat dap dap (2021)
I am not a robot (2020–2021)
The Rise of Modern China (2018)
Affirmative Resonance (2018)
‘Parts’ of China (2017)
Transliterations (2017)
Ximplification of a Language (2016)
A Living Space: Houses (2014–15)
Breathe (2012)
Circle (2011)
↓
Transliteration
2017, Sound Installation
This work explores the concept of language standardization,
particularly in the context of modern nation-states, where
standardization often serves as an exclusionary tool.
Transliteration involves the phonetic conversion of text from one
script to another, mapping the sounds of one language into another's
writing system. This process often results in compromised
pronunciations.
In this work, the Mandarin pronunciation of "中文" (Zhongwén) is
transliterated into numerous other language alphabets. Participants may
produce varied transliterations; for example, English speakers might
render "Zhongwén" as "jong wen," "joong wu," or "zhong wen".
The official standardized Mandarin pronunciation undergoes conversion through distinct, unconnected languages. This 'standard' is reinterpreted through various scripts, challenging and reconstructing the pronunciation norm.
The work incorporates 26 transliterations involving 15 languages as script materials. These scripts are then vocalized using language reading algorithms.
In the final stage, the work employs sonic subtraction. Spectrograms of each 'new' standard created by the transliterations are overlaid and subtracted from the official Chinese standard, resulting in fragmented pronunciations. This multi-layered process challenges the concept of a singular, standardized language and explores the rich diversity of linguistic interpretation and expression.
Multichannel sound installation,
26 tracks of sound, loop
Audio Excerpt of the work: here
