Staff Profile

Established Freelance Translation Business

Since graduating from the T&I MA Course (Chinese strand) at Newcastle University in 2011, I established a successful freelance translation business that foused on localisation and game translation. I translated, transcreated, and reviewed a wide variety of texts, covering fine art, literature, business, advertising, and news.

Focus on Localisation and Video Game Translation

I focused on localisation, and developed a specialism in Chinese to English video game translation.

Aside from 40 years of 'hands on' video game research, I have also worked as a translator, reviewer, or cultural consultant on 30 video game projects for numerous localisation agencies, translating around 2 million characters of Chinese text and proofreading a similar quantity of English words.

This includes innovative titles from independent developers to AAA games from industry leaders on platforms that include PC, mobile (Android and IoS), Nintendo Switch, and PS4 VR.

I have translated, transcreated, and reviewed genres that include: MMOs, MMORPGs, single-player RPGs, FPS, MOBA, RTS, TBS, action adventure games, arcade classics, casual games, 2D and 2.5D platformers, and others.

In addition to C-E video game localisation, I have been employed to create style guides in English for AAA titles, to be translated into FIGS.

In terms of other localisation, I have worked on the translation of several apps designed for use in education, rehabilitation, and driving.

Return to Academia

While working as a freelancer I was invited to work as a part-time lecturer in the T&I department at Newcastle and became involved in the planning, teaching, and assessment of several translation modules. After gaining almost a decade of translation and localisation experience, and having witnessed the realities and intricacies of the industry, I decided to return to academia, so that I could contribute to growing field of knowledge in the area of video game translation and localisation. In 2017, I began a PhD at SML in Newcastle, and in September 2018, I become a full-time member of staff, specialising in localisation of digital products (apps, videogames, and websites) and Chinese to English translation. Retaining a close relationship with my industry contacts, I now bring vital industry practices and knowledge to my modules within the school, as well as provide opportunities for students within the industry.

Current Research:

1. PhD thesis on the topic of: An Exploration of How Socio-cultural Factors Guide Linguists in the Translation of Culture Specific Items in a Chinese to English Wuxia RPG Localisation Project. (Write up stage)

This involved the research of Chinese video games based on wuxia literature, localisation, ideology in translation, team translation, Bourdieusian Theory (Habitus and Cultural Capital), Norms in Translation, Skopos Theory, and User Centred Translation.

2. Research paper on: The Development of CSIs in Video Game Translation (in progress).

3. Research paper on: An Actor Network Theory Analysis of the Role of Project Managers in Video Game Localisation (in progress).

My research interests lie in: game translation, game localisation, the localisation of digital products, transcreation, CAT tools, and MT. 

CHN7004 Translating 1 (Chinese to English) - Module Leader

CHN8037 Translation 2 (Chinese to English) - Module Leader

SML8026 Localisation: Theory and Practice - Module Leader

CHN8035 Chinese-English Subtitle and Video Game Translation - Lecturer

• Robertson D. A Video Game Localisation Workshop with Keywords Studios. 2019, Newcastle University: School of Modern Languages.
• Robertson D. Getting China's Game. The Linguist 2018, (June/July 2018), 15-17.
• Robertson D. Review of Thinking Chinese Translation. The Linguist 2011, (April 2011).