Tamkang University Professor Wins 29th Franco-Taiwanese Cultural Prize for Translation

The 29th Taiwan-France Cultural Award held its award ceremony on the evening of the 14th, French time, in the Grand Assembly Hall of the Institut de France in Paris. This year's award aims to recognize outstanding contributions to literature, art, and language promotion between the two countries, attracting widespread attention from academic and cultural circles across the Taiwan Strait. Wu Xi-de, professor emeritus in the Department of French at Tamkang University, was honored with one of this year's awards for his 40-year dedication to French translation and promotion, symbolizing Taiwan's enhanced visibility on the international linguistic and cultural stage.

Established in 1994, the Taiwan-France Cultural Award has been held for nearly 30 consecutive editions, aiming to deepen mutual understanding and cultural exchange between the peoples of the two countries. Past laureates include writers, musicians, and film directors who have all facilitated communication between French and Chinese in various fields. The design of the award is not only an affirmation of individual contributions but also a symbol of cooperation in official cultural policies between the two nations, providing a platform for cooperation between their academic institutions.

Professor Wu has been devoted to French translation and teaching since the 1970s, having translated classics such as Les Misérables and Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary, while also compiling the textbook Introduction to French, which has become essential reading for French majors in Taiwan. His translated works are renowned for their fidelity to the original texts and fluent phrasing, winning widespread acclaim from the academic and publishing communities. Over the past four decades, Professor Wu has not only nurtured countless French-language talents in the classroom but has also brought French culture into the public eye through public lectures, seminars, and other formats.

Professor Wu's efforts have directly elevated the overall standard of French education in Taiwan. The French-language curricula of many schools are modeled after his textbooks, and students have repeatedly excelled in international French competitions.