INTEGRATING THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE INTO PUBLIC-POLITICAL TRANSLATION COURSES IN RUSSIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

Since its inception, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has attracted significant international attention, profoundly influencing political, economic, and cultural spheres. This expansion provides new content and perspectives for translation education, particularly in public-political translation. This study examines the relevance and challenges of integrating BRI-related materials into the “Public-Political Translation (Chinese)” course curriculum in Russian universities.

The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining anonymous surveys of 15 instructors and 60 senior students from five state universities, alongside non-participant classroom observations. The findings reveal that while over 90% of instructors consider studying the BRI highly relevant for translator training, its integration into educational programs remains fragmented and predominantly theoretical. Most educators rely on traditional lectures and text analysis, underutilizing translation software, text corpora, or interpretation simulations.

Based on these results, the study proposes targeted reforms, including the development of modular curricula, the introduction of project-based and simulation methods, and enhanced collaboration with Chinese universities. These measures aim to enhance students’ intercultural competence and practical translation skills. The proposed strategies contribute to the modernization of translator training in socio-political contexts, aligning academic practices with global geopolitical discourse. By bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, this approach ensures that graduates are better equipped to handle the complexities of contemporary international communication within the BRI framework.