In Memoriam — Prof. Yuanxi Ma

1933 - 2013

Besides her long and distinguished career in translation, Professor Ma was instrumental in helping to create ATA’s Chinese Language Division (CLD) and launching ATA’s English>Chinese certification exam. She served two consecutive terms as CLD’s assistant administrator (2000-2004), and as the division’s administrator from 2004-2006. She was also a grader for ATA’s English>Chinese certification exam.

Professor Ma earned a Ph.D. and an MA in American literature and comparative literature from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She also received an MA in the English language from Beijing Foreign Studies University.

She had roughly 40 years of university teaching experience in China and the U.S., teaching English as a foreign language and literature. She also conducted exchange programs for professors and college students in the U.S. and China. In addition to her teaching career, she was a Chinese>English translator (ATA-certified) and interpreter. She worked for 10 years as the director of translation at Baker & McKenzie, LLP, one of the largest law firms in the United States. She published a number of literary, cultural, and legal translations and writings in various journals, books, and translation collections. She will be remembered by colleagues and friends from ATA.