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DoctorWei Teng

Lecturer

Language, Social and Political Sciences

Orcid identifier0000-0002-3057-9901 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Lecturer
    Language, Social and Political Sciences
  • +6433690232 (Work)
  • Logie 519

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research lies at the intersection of translation and interpreting studies and systemic functional linguistics (SFL), with a particular focus on Community Translation and Interpreting. I investigate how translation practices can better serve culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, especially in public service settings.

A core contribution of my research is the development of two analytical frameworks for evaluating Community Translation and Interpreting quality. One assesses the extent to which pragmatic equivalence is achieved; the other identifies potential causes of pragmalinguistic failure. These tools support both theoretical inquiry and professional practice by offering nuanced, context-sensitive approaches to translation assessment.

My work is grounded in a commitment to socially responsive research. In 2021, I was awarded a prestigious MBIE Science Whitinga Fellowship, funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. This project emphasised the importance of engaging CALD communities in the translation process and examined broader institutional and linguistic factors that influence the quality and integrity of multilingual public service delivery.

In addition to applied research, I explore cross-linguistic and cross-cultural features of English and Mandarin Chinese within the SFL framework. This allows me to assess translation quality not only in linguistic terms but also in relation to social and cultural context — offering a perspective that contrasts with abstract or decontextualised models.

Ultimately, my research seeks to improve the accessibility and cultural appropriateness of public services by enhancing the quality and accountability of translation and interpreting. I aim to contribute to policy and practice in ways that promote social inclusion and equitable communication for all members of society.

GRANTS

  • GRANT
    Grammar of Support: Toward a Tenor Benchmark for AI Translation of Screening Tools
    The New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain and Behaviour19 Aug 2026 - 15 Dec 2026
  • GRANT
    Algorithmic Empathy? Assessing the Clinical Viability of AI-Translated Mental Health Tools with a Multidisciplinary Lens
    Faculty of Arts25 Aug 2025 - 13 Dec 2025
  • GRANT
    In the Lay-reader’s Eyes - Reassurance of Translation Quality
    Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2023
    The multiple outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria, Australia 2020, demonstrated the importance of translation/interpreting services disseminating vital information to linguistically diversified communities and their members. In particular, Community Translation/Interpreting, a nascent field of study, facilitates language access to rights and services in order to benefit those members’ health and social wellbeing. The mission of my research proposal is to contribute to establishing an interpreter certification system in New Zealand. This project’s aims are: 1) to offer a set of assessment criteria for translators/interpreters that is practical and pedagogically sound; and 2) to ensure the criteria are consistent with and potentially applicable to the requirements of an MBIE programme, Language Assistance Services (LAS). Achieving these aims will also allow me to provide advice and guidance about implementing the established assessment criteria at other institutes providing translator/interpreter education in Aotearoa New Zealand. I have developed and applied a set of assessment criteria to evaluate the quality of Community Translation/Interpreting in my previous studies. My latest study also revealed conflicting opinions on translation quality between translators and end-users. Though the end-users are the real readers of a translation, studies on assessment of translation quality (including interpreting) have largely neglected the fundamental role that end-users play. The current study bridges this gap in New Zealand where an initiative by MBIE is taking place to establish an NZ certification system for interpreters and standards for interpreting services with LAS Programme. As an academic advisor to LAS, my aspiration for my research is to promote understanding among diversified languages, including Māori and other languages, preventing misunderstandings among diversified communities in our society and promoting social inclusion of other language groups into NZ’s bicultural society. Though there is no Mātauranga Māori being used, potential connections to Vision Mātauranga will be monitored throughout the research.
  • GRANT
    Taiwan Film Series
    Ministry of Culture, Taiwan1 Feb 2021 - 31 Jul 2021