As a Human Resource Management student, I chose to pursue a Minor in Translation (Chinese) because I wanted to develop a complementary skill set that would strengthen my ability to communicate effectively across different audiences and cultural contexts. At the same time, the decision was also personal to me. As my mother is from China, studying Chinese translation gave me an opportunity to deepen my understanding of the language and culture that forms part of my family background. In doing so, it helped me feel more connected to that part of my identity.

Through the minor, I came to realise that translation goes far beyond being proficient in two languages. It requires us to understand context, tone, cultural nuances and, most importantly, the intended audience before deciding how a message should be communicated. The programme has trained me to be more deliberate with my choice of words and to consider how the same message may need to be adapted for different stakeholders. 

I find this particularly relevant to Human Resource Management where communication is an integral part of the profession. HR practitioners often have to translate organisational policies, expectations and complex information into messages that employees can understand and relate to. In increasingly diverse and regional workplaces, the ability to communicate sensitively across languages and cultures is also becoming increasingly valuable.

Beyond strengthening my bilingual capabilities, the Translation minor has sharpened my attention to detail and sensitivity towards how communication can be interpreted differently by different audiences. These are skills that I believe will complement my HRM training and remain relevant as I progress into roles involving employee engagement, regional collaboration and stakeholder management.