Chinese Program Research Showcase

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12:30–3:00 PM Thursday, May 1st, 2025 at Rome Hall 459

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Overview:

12:30 PM – Reception & Poster Display

1:00 PM – Opening Remarks by Professor Immanuel Kim, EALL Dept. Chair

1:10 PM – Presentations

3:00 PM – Award ceremony

Session I

1:10 pm  Eliza Cormier 曹安怡: Linguistic Sovereignty: National Identity in Taiwan’s Presidential Rhetoric    Moderator: Kyle Nguyen

Abstract: Rhetoric surrounding the political status and national identity of Taiwan has evolved significantly over the years, and this change can be observed through the language of its political leaders. Given the sensitivity of Taiwan’s status, high-profile speeches by its leaders carry substantial weight, making it crucial to closely analyze their language. This study examines the lexical choices used to identify Taiwan and its people by presidents in inauguration speeches since its democratization in 1996, and the close relation this language has to the evolution and formation of Taiwan’s national identity as a political issue. The results of this study show that the growth of a national identity in Taiwan has not only shifted speech language away from associating with a Chinese identity, but has also resulted in the rise of strategically ambiguous linguistic choices that have shifted the semantic connotation of these identifiers and reflects growing cross-strait tension and concern both within Taiwan and internationally.

1:30 pm  Lauren Wahlmark 王语然: Steeped in Words: The Influence of Tea Culture in Tang and Song Dynasty Poetry      Moderator: Alex Bruner 白乐仁

Abstract: This thesis examines the representation of tea in Tang and Song dynasty poetry, exploring its symbolic meanings within changing sociocultural contexts. During this period, tea evolved from a monastic and aristocratic tradition into a key element of literati life. Tang poets such as Lu Tong and Jiaoran emphasized its meditative and ascetic qualities, while Song poets like Su Shi and Huang Tingjian depicted it as an expression of personal taste, intellectual refinement, and transcendence. Despite these differences, both traditions associated tea with moral purity and scholarly ideals. As tea culture became more commercialized in the Song, poets engaged with it through competitive tea-tasting and artistic performance. This thesis highlights how tea, as both a material and symbolic entity, reflected shifting cultural values and contributed to Chinese literature.

1:50 pm  Dylan Shepard 佘迪: Evolution, Not Revolution: Echoes of Hu Jintao in Xi Jinping’s Common Prosperity        Moderator: Emma Kuruppacherry

Abstract: This paper explores the evolution of China's rural development strategies through a comparative analysis of Xi Jinping’s "common prosperity" demonstration zone (2021 - Present) and Hu Jintao’s "Building a New Socialist Countryside" program (BNSC, 2005-2015). By examining the implementation of both schemes in Zhejiang Province, the study identifies key continuities and divergences in their objectives and methods at the county level. Through a case study of three counties — Jingning, Qingtian, and Wuyi — the paper analyzes official implementation plans for both BNSC and common prosperity, revealing significant overlap in broad goals such as reducing rural-urban inequality and enhancing public services. However, differences emerge in the specific goals pursued and the methods of implementation, reflecting evolving local needs and shifting political priorities. The paper argues that while they may differ on individual policy measures, Xi’s common prosperity generally continues the convention of rural development that existed under his predecessor. Specifically, this paper finds a consistent high degree of maneuverability and flexibility in local governance across the two schemes, reflecting deeply entrenched central-local relation dynamics established during the Mao period. This conclusion differs from pervasive speculation among practitioners that Xi’s common prosperity drive represents an ideational shift from post-reform convention of Chinese economic statecraft.

Break (2:10-2:20 pm)

Session II

2:20 pm Dayna Bailey 白丹娜: A Labyrinth of Text: Navigating the Twists and Turns of Su Hui's "Map of the Armillary Sphere"    Moderator: Xinran Wang 王馨冉

Abstract: Su Hui’s (蘇蕙) palindrome poem "Map of the Armillary Sphere" (璇璣圖), dated as early as the fifth century, takes the form of a twenty-nine-by-twenty-nine character square grid of classical Chinese poetry with a complex structure divided into segments and organized by color that allows for innumerable readings horizontally, vertically, or diagonally in various directions. The palindrome, which contains an innumerable number of poems, is not only a work of literature but also a work of visual art with a uniquely formatted presentation that is inextricably linked to the reading process of the text it portrays.

As an art form, visual literature has appeared in nearly every culture and language throughout history. Belonging to the broader category of constrained literature - a genre which includes calligrams, palindromes, ergodic literature (pieces that require a reader to expend effort beyond that of reading words in a linear manner), and various other works whose stylistic devices impose atypical compositional rules - these works surpass traditional expectations by incorporating elements of both literary and visual artwork into a single piece.

In this paper I will present an analysis of the content and layout of Su Hui’s "Map of the Armillary Sphere," addressing the importance of spatial, compositional, and stylistic elements and the intentionality behind the poem’s construction in its overall interpretation. I will also address the translation process of the palindrome, touching upon the challenges and impossibilities of rendering such a labyrinthine ergodic work that, by design, plays with the idea of the infinite, relying heavily upon the reader’s individual choices to create a unique, non-linear reading experience out of the countless possible methods of traversing the piece.

2:40 pm  Ding Ziwei 丁紫薇: Poetry of Quanzhen Daoist Yu Daoxian.     Moderator: Ziyuan Zhang

Abstract: This paper focuses on the Quanzhen poet Yu Daoxian (于道顯, 1169 - 1233) and his poems from the collection Lifeng Laoren Ji (離峰老人集, Collection of Old Man Lifeng), which was preserved in the Daoist Canon during the Ming dynasty. The paper explores Yu Daoxian’s life to provide insights into his own cultivation experiences and others’ commentaries on him. Moreover, through translation and textual analysis, this paper categorizes Yu’s poetry into three categories: didactic, nature, and introspective poems. It shows that Yu Daoxian composed Quanzhen poetry to transmit Quanzhen teachings and cultivation methods, inspire Quanzhen conversion, and expand and consolidate Quanzhen communities. It reveals how he adapted different rhetorical strategies, including didactic messages, allusions to classical Daoist and Buddhist texts, and poetic expressions of inner cultivation and transcendence, to address the concerns and aspirations of diverse audiences and to articulate the Quanzhen worldview. It argues that Yu Daoxian’s poetry functions as both literary expression and religious practice. Furthermore, his poetry offers valuable material that enriches our understanding of Quanzhen Daoism’s cultural and spiritual landscape in the Jin dynasty from the personal perspective of the poet.

About the Presenters

Eliza Cormier 曹安怡

Eliza Cormier is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature and Political Science at George Washington University. Her academic interests focus on cross-strait relations, U.S.-China relations, and domestic politics in Taiwan. During her time at GW, Eliza interned with the Democratic Progressive Party while studying abroad in Taipei, and later with the Taiwan Coordination Office at the U.S. Department of State. She has enjoyed combining research and language skills to explore international affairs and political communication. After graduation, Eliza plans to pursue research and policy work related to U.S.-cross-strait relations.

Lauren Wahlmark 王语然

Lauren Wahlmark is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Literature and Language with a minor in Art History. Her academic interests include Chinese poetry, mid to late 20th-century art, and all things linguistics. During her time at GW, Lauren participated in hosting a radio show with WRGW and joined the Collegiate Chinese Honor Society. She has truly enjoyed learning so much about her passions and meeting such wonderful people along the way.

Dylan Shepard 佘迪

Dylan Shepard is graduating with a bachelor of arts in Asian Studies and Chinese Language & Literature. Since freshman year he has been an active member and vociferous champion of the China Affairs Forum at GW where he has led Chinese studies book clubs, guest speaker events, research workshops, and most recently the effort to launch and publish the GW Collegiate Journal of Chinese Affairs. Over the duration of his undergraduate education he has dedicated his studies to advancing his understanding of Chinese society and politics. After graduation, he will remain in the DMV area, where he can often be found cycling quiet country roads on either side of the Potomac.

Dayna Bailey 白丹娜

Dayna Bailey is completing her Master of Arts in Chinese Language and Culture with a focus on both classical and contemporary literary translation. A soon-to-be double-alumna, Dayna also received her Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature from GWU and additionally completed two semesters of study at 中央民族大学 in Beijing, China. Dayna is a passionate language-learner and has studied several other languages during her years at GWU including Uyghur, American Sign Language, and Russian. Outside of class, she can often be found enjoying literature, solving crossword puzzles, and playing with her dogs. After graduation, Dayna plans to continue her work as a Chinese-English translator and hopes to add even more languages to her repertoire.

Ding Ziwei 丁紫薇

Ziwei Ding is completing her Master of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature at George Washington University. Her research interests include Chinese literature, translation studies, and the relationship between literature and religion, with a particular focus on classical texts and Daoist writings. In addition to her academic work, she has served as a teaching assistant for beginner-level Chinese courses, where she developed skills in language instruction and student support. She plans to pursue further graduate study and an academic career, and continue to explore the intersection of Chinese literature and religious thought.

Poster Presentations

Jake Albertson 敖佳科 [MA in Chinese Language and Culture]: 《太平天国运动及其对现代中国的影响》The Taiping Rebellion and Its Influence on Modern China

Leyton Berat 白莲 [BA in Chinese Language and Literature]:《战狼外交：中西关系关系的背景下》Wolf Warrior Diplomacy: In the context of Sino-Western Relations

Adam Bubanich 毕蓝 [MA in Asian Studies]:《特朗普政府时期的中美学者与学生交流：今天的问题，明天的挑战》U.S.-China Scholarly and Student Exchanges During the Trump Administration

Mitchem Callahan 柯震 [MA in Asian Studies]:《中国与北欧外交关系》China-Northern Europe Relations

Sandy Faure 方易弘 [MA in Asian Studies]:《中华人民共和国与菲律宾南海仲裁案》The China-Philippines South China Sea Arbitration

Liam Green 高守军 [BA in International Affairs, Minor in Chinese Language and Literature]:《中俄关系历史，现代情况，年轻看法》Sino-Russian Relations History, Current Situation, and Views of the Youth

Erin Naumann 诺艾霖 [MA in Asian Studies]:《防止强迫维吾尔人劳动法》Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

Denise Roman 罗梦迪 [BA in Business, Minor in Chinese Language and Literature]:《中美学生对中美贸易战的看法》Chinese and American Students’ View on the U.S-China Trade War

Kitty Stauffer 石凯音 [BA in International Affairs]:《台湾科技以及中美贸易战相关的问题: 中美贸易战如何影响台积电与台湾？》The Impact of the U.S.-China Trade War on TSMC and Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry

Shuli Wong 黄树李 [BA in International Affairs, Minor in Chinese Language and Literature]:《台独或者统一：国家认同与代际差异》Taiwan Independence or Reunification: National Identity and Generational Differences

Megan Zeiss 蔡致奇 [BA in International Affairs, BA in Chinese Language and Literature]: 《一带一路对美国与中东国家贸易、中国与中东国家贸易有什么影响？》The Belt and Road Initiative: Implications for U.S.–Middle East and China–Middle East Trade Relations

Ashley LaPlante 柳艾理[MA in Chinese Language and Culture]:  "The Beginning of a New Era: A Closer Look at Italian Neorealism’s Impact on the Taiwan New Cinema Movement"

Camryn Yi 易爱琼 [BA in Chinese Language and Literature]:  "Ginseng Storytelling Properties: The Use of  Ginseng as a Symbol of Misfortune in The Dream of the Red Chamber"

Past Events:

2024

Chinese Program Research Showcase

Friday, May 3, 2024 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Rome Hall 459

2:00     Opening Remarks by Professor Immanuel Kim, EALL Department Chair

2:05     Ben Levine 李斌: Unveiling the Linguistic Landscape: A Study of Censorship Evasion Techniques in China's Cyber Sphere. (Moderator: Dayna Bailey 白丹娜)

Abstract: This thesis explores the dynamic and intricate ways in which Chinese internet users, or netizens, employ the Chinese language to navigate and circumvent internet censorship. Focusing on five primary linguistic strategies – creating neologisms through compounding, near homophonization of words that sound similar, pinyin initials, numbers, and shifting or extending semantics – the study delves into the nuanced and evolving relationship between linguistic innovation and the suppression of online expression. By investigating the historical development, cultural influences, and societal implications of these strategies, this research aims to shed light on the resilience and creativity of Chinese netizens in trying to express themselves in one of the strictest censorship regimes in the world.

2:35     Nicolas Gangi-Saroukhanioff 甘诚志: Writing the Revolution: Literature and Communism in Mao’s China and the German Democratic Republic. (Moderator: Dylan Shepard 佘迪)

Abstract: The creation of a “literary society” was one of the foremost cultural policies of both Maoist China and East Germany. Emerging at roughly contemporaneous times in areas that had, until recently, been hostile ground to Communism, the Chinese Communist Party and the East German Socialist Unity Party both sought to employ literature as a means of inculcating a new pro-Communist identity among their citizenry, discrediting their predecessor regimes, providing justification for their radical policies, and to give form to the utopian futures they envisioned. As such, an examination of the literary canons of these two states can uncover vital information concerning the formation, solidification, and even collapse of the twentieth-century Communist experiment. By tracing key developments in literary policy under both regimes from 1949-1990 and analyzing the crucial representative works from both countries across these four decades, this analysis reveals that while, for both regimes, literature served as key means of ideological promulgation, its eventual divergence from the strict confines of regime policy helped bring about the ends of the respective systems—in one case through a shift away from the system’s most radical ideological elements (post-Mao China), and in the other through the regime’s complete collapse (East Germany).

3:05     Easton Weizer 魏亦森: Brand Localization in East Asian Markets: A Linguistic Analysis and Categorization of Name Translation Strategies. (Moderator: Ruby Leonard 李露)

Abstract: Brand localization is a central component of international market entry strategy. While existing scholarship largely focuses on the importance of adaptation to foreign markets’ local culture, customs, preferences, and values in the context of marketing, language is an aspect of brand localization that has evaded in-depth analyses. This paper provides a linguistic analysis and categorization framework concerning the capacity in which the Chinese writing system factors into the brand localization of foreign firms entering East Asian markets, namely China. English-Chinese brand name translations are compiled into a robust, industry-agnostic, and internationally representative dataset. The Chinese names adopted by foreign brands are then categorized and analyzed quantitatively to reveal trends in translation strategy. Doing so yields a map of the frequency in which firms localize their main identifier on the basis of phonetic, semantic, and phonosemantic significance as well as a number of newly identified subcategories.                                                                   

3:35     Award ceremony

About the presenters:

Ben Levine is a second year graduate student in the Chinese Language and Culture Master Program at GW. He is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and he graduated from Boston University in 2017 with a bachelors in International Relations. His thesis is on the Chinese internet and how Chinese netizens use the language circumvent censors in one of the strictest content moderation environments in the world. This research interests Ben because of both his fascination with the Chinese language and the role of the Chinese government in trying to regulate the internet. Outside of the classroom, Ben enjoys playing basketball, reading, and hanging out friends.

Nicolas Gangi-Saroukhanioff is a double major in Chinese and International Relations. His research was inspired by his two language passions—Chinese and German—and his interest in finding a way to bring them together. Outside of GW, Nicolas is a passionate soccer fan and supporter of Borussia Dortmund. He is also an avid guitarist. Nicolas will be pursuing his graduate studies at the University of Oxford, where he hopes to build upon this research, expanding it to encompass the literatures of other Communist states. He would like to thank the department for the opportunity to do this research.

Easton Weizer is a dual degree candidate pursuing both a BS in International Business from the GW School of Business and a BA in Chinese Language and Literature from CCAS. In May, he will conclude his undergraduate experience having completed the University Honors Program, Global Bachelor’s Program, and various independent and professor-driven research initiatives. Aside from the scope of today’s presentation, his research has covered topics ranging from portfolio optimization strategies in the field of finance to a thesis on the implications of China’s Belt and Road Initiative for global security. The latter of which was undertaken during his semesters abroad at the University of Chile and the University of Hong Kong.

2023

Chinese Program Research Showcase

1:00- 2:30 PM, Thursday, May 4, 2023

Jake Messick: China’s Forgotten Simplification Scheme: A Cross-Disciplinary Analysis of the Failure of the Second Round of Simplified Chinese Characters

Abstract: In late 1977, a new round of simplified Chinese characters was published as an advancement of the character simplification plans by the Chinese Communist Party. By the end of 1978, the scheme had been withdrawn from use in official contexts and repealed completely at the start of 1986. This presentation looks to analyze the failure of this linguistic reform through three areas: sociopolitical analysis, linguistic data collection and comparison to the still-used first round simplification scheme.

A'nan Butterfly Zhao:  A Research on Gu Zhenguan’s Ci Poetry of Snapping Fingers 顧貞觀《彈指詞》研究

Abstract: Gu Zhenguan was a famous poet in the early Qing Dynasty. In this presentation, Zhao will explain why Gu Zhenguan named his ci poetry collection “Snapping Fingers”, then analyze the most important prominent feature of Gu Zhenguan’s ci poetry, which is the expression of his profound affection, and the writing styles of “Snapping Fingers Ci”.

Sophie Lam:  Strands of Virtue: Exploring Gentry Laywomen’s Hair Embroideries of Guanyin in Late Imperial Jiangnan

Abstract: This presentation explores how late imperial gentry laywomen utilized the practice of hairembroidering Guanyin 觀音 (Skt. Avalokiteśvara) to materialize their simultaneous pursuit of multifaceted objectives in ideal gentry lay womanhood, which included a high level of religious commitment, genuine adherence to Confucian filial piety, and the demonstration of external and internal personal refinements.

2022

Chinese Program Student Research Presentations

April 29, 2022,  2:00 PM – 3:00PM

 

Andrew Butt 白先艺:  Maidens, Matchmakers, and Men: Exploring Gender, Passion, and Morality in a Selection of Feng Menglong’s Short Stories

Abstract: Within the tradition of vernacular storytelling in the Ming Dynasty, one of the most well-known and well-studied authors is Feng Menglong 冯梦龙 (1574-1646). With works such as his History of Passion, Mountain Songs, and sanyan (三言) collections of stories, Feng Menglong’s works are chiefly known for their depictions of qing (情), or passion. In examining a selection of stories found within the sanyan collection concerning romantic love, we can better understand how Feng situates qing within his stories, which leads to a better understanding of the broader moral conveyed therein. While each story presents different and sometimes contrasting morals, broadly the ethical messaging tends to run contrary to prevailing Confucian standards. Moreover, whether consciously depicted or not, Feng’s depictions of men in his stories align with the broader narrative over the feminization of men since the Tang dynasty. This tension between Feng’s stories and Confucian morals and gender norms can not only be seen as both a reflection of Feng’s personal position within the Confucian hierarchy, but also a representation of the role Feng’s popular literature played vis a vis the more intellectually esteemed poetry and dialectical prose. These contradictions open questions as to how Feng’s works were interpreted by his contemporaries, what effects Feng’s depiction of men had on his and later generations, and how beneficial modern Western theories of literary analysis are in evaluating premodern Chinese literature.

Ezra Cohen 康俊宏:  PRC Language Policy and Ethnic Minorities: Mandarin Chinese and its Centrality to Economics

 

Abstract: The national language policy of the People's Republic of China has impacted both the cultures and economies of ethnic minority groups living in the country's autonomous regions. Using Guangxi and Xinjiang autonomous regions as case studies, economic data is analyzed and cross-referenced with data concerning the adoption of Mandarin Chinese by the Zhuang and Uyghur minority ethnic groups. By using tools such as economic and geospatial analysis, both case studies reach the conclusion that adoption of Mandarin Chinese is an important step these ethnic groups must accept in order to participate in the more economically developed areas of their regions. The learning of Mandarin has also had adverse impacts on the native language practices of these groups, leading to a situation where a tradeoff must be made between native culture and modern economic participation. Finally, economic policies are recommended to mitigate this harmful dichotomy.

2021

Chinese Program Student Research Presentations

May 11, 2021,  12:00 PM - 02:00 PM 

• Katarina Micklus 米凯瑞: Second Language Development of Mandarin tones: A comparative study of native-English speaking children’s second tone production 第二汉语声调习得：英语为母 语儿童第二声调习得之比较研究
• Ethan Franz 蕭子蘭:  Examining the Essential Functional Similarities Between the Confucian Superior Man and Jewish Religious Leaders 儒家之君子與猶太宗教領袖的 基本相似之處
• Jackson Smith 史杰鹏:  Ah Q in the 21st Century: The Presence of New Historicism in the Rereading of The True Story of Ah Q 21 世纪的阿Q: 新历史主义 在重读《阿Q 正传》研究中 的表现
• Yichen Xie 謝亦辰:  The Parrot Cumbered By its Own Flair: A Study on Wen T’ing-Yun and the “Lowbred” Early Tz’u-Poetry 鸚鵡才高卻累身——對溫庭筠與早期詞的研究
• Steven Bernstein 柏書偉:  Bao Zheng: Comparing History with Myth 包拯: 行走在歷史與傳 說之間

2019

Chinese Program Student Presentations

May 6, 2019,  2:30PM – 4:00PM

• Tianyu Fan: “Seize the dragon's tail”- An Analytical Study of Laozi’s biography.
• Andrew Allard: Linguistic exchanges between Chinese and Khmer from Prehistory to Modern Cambodia.
• Elizabeth Telford: A Look at Christianity in China as Portrayed through Wu Li’s Poems on the Seven Deadly Sins.

2017

Chinese Program Student Presentations

May 5, 2017,   3:00PM–4:00PM

• Mark Schaefer: Ghosts and Social Critique in Yu Hua’s The Seventh Day.
• Dayna Bailey: A reading of an excerpt from a creative writing project written in Chinese titled "幻峰兆".