Invited by the Portuguese Department of the College of Foreign Languages of Nankai University, Professor Li Changsen from Macau Polytechnic University gave two lectures on November 8 and 9. The titles were: “The Contest between Spain and Portugal over the Maluku Islands in the Age of Discovery” and “Translating Street Names in Macao-- Basic Methods of Translation”. The lectures received much attention from the faculty and students from the Portuguese, Spanish and other departments. Professor Yan Guodong, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages, also attended the first lecture and delivered a speech.
Prof. Li Changsen received his PhD in History from Jinan University, and is a professor at Macau Polytechnic University. He is currently a member of the Portuguese Expert Committee of the National Translation Qualification Examination, a doctoral supervisor of Chinese-Portuguese Translation at the Faculty of Languages and Translation of the Macao Polytechnic University. He also concurrently serves as a chair professor, visiting professor, and honorary professor at many higher institutes. Professor Li has published more than 120 papers in the fields of history, linguistics and Macao studies.
In his lecture on November 8, Professor Li focused on the Spanish-Portuguese rivalry over the Maluku Islands in the Pacific Ocean during the Age of Discovery. Out of their desire for spices in the East, the two countries carried out severalnavigations. Eventually, when Magellan reached the Maluku Islands during his circumnavigation, conflicts arose again between the two countries. They later signed the Treaty of Zaragoza in 1529, which determined their respective spheres of influence.
In the lecture on November 9, Professor Li mainly focused on the translation of street names in Macau. The lecture presented an overview of Macau streets, the urban development of Macau, and the characteristics of street names in Macau. He introduced the basic situation and historical development of Macau, and concentrated on several case studies, such as the origin of the Chinese name of Lilau.
Professor Li later provided detailed answers to the enthusiastic participants during Q&A session, offering valuable insights.
