Last summer, I received an email from Helen from the Chinese Books for Young People about the call for papers for the 11th European Translation Congress in Leeds. Specifically, there was a panel on food translation which she thought I might be of interest to join.
I had not previously imagined my nutrition work to even have the slightest fit into the world of translation. Throughout the years however, I have begun to appreciate it not just as a bilingual practitioner, but generally the importance of translation in how messages are communicated.
I was so happy when my paper was accepted and even better, obtained a conference grant which covered all of my expenses for this trip to Leeds, then to London to see my supervisors and join in for another seminar.
At the translation conference in Leeds, I discussed how translation is not only part of the research process but informs how we interpret findings, every step of the way. Specifically from my research, I have found the language in infant feeding to inform and reflect the way mothers choose to feed their babies – this shows how local practices can help shape transnational discourses. Of course there were also plenty of concepts in the food and the body which are not quite translatable, but only makes some sense when we take into the context of eating, feeding and customs (who, how and why?). There were lots of amazing (non-food) talks too which makes me think about how translation is not just between languages but a fundamental part of the human experience. From theory to practice, ever spared a thought for those working in conflict zones? It’s all fascinating and very thought-provoking.
For the second part of my trip, I joined in fellow scholars at the UCL’s parenting culture studies hosted by my supervisor Professor Charlotte Faircloth and Professor Ellie Lee. The diverse topics reinforce the need for more family research, especially on the changing ideas of ‘parenting’. My focus here is on how social actors negotiate feeding practices within the family, shaped by the many factors which are mostly cultural. We discussed the ideologies and practices of reproduction and care work, their very gendered nature as women bear their lion’s share, but also increasingly the call to include men’s voices too was most interesting to explore.
Food has never been a standalone subject as it’s hard to place, and why should we even try to? For the longest time, I felt nutrition owns this space, but if (in very simple terms) food intake = health = nutrition, we should be taking more time to explore the factors which influence how we consume food? Surely this is not just a biomedical consideration but more. Having been to these events, again just makes me reflect on how food – and of course nutrition – should also be an interdisciplinary matter.
My first trip travelling solo after many years, and what better at the height of UK summer although it did feel very hot after a while. Lots of selfies, video calls and pictures of meals etc. to keep everyone in the family posted of my whereabouts. After a few days, my tastebuds were calling for umami! I am very grateful for the conference grants received (and all my social actors!) to make it a possibility. It’s great to be back!
