Preserving a Life Across Languages

60 Years A Widow

Some projects carry more than technical complexity—they carry memory, faith, and historical truth for future generations.

This work involved the translation of a 400-page autobiographical historical work from Traditional Chinese into English. The narrative documents the life of a widowed Christian woman in China and the decades she spent raising her family after her husband was martyred during the White Terror period following the Chinese Communist takeover.

At a Glance

Client Context

Personal / Family History / Historical Biography

Deliverable

Full-length book translation (Traditional Chinese to English)

Scope

Literary translation, historical accuracy, detailed review, formatting

Environment

High-volume manuscript, sensitive subject matter, lengthy engagement

The Challenge

A personal friend and CEO commissioned Words Over Seas to translate 60 Years a Widow, a 400-page autobiographical work written in Traditional Chinese, into English for family members and potential future publication.

Beyond its length, the manuscript documented deeply personal experiences shaped by faith, loss, and political persecution. The work required not only linguistic accuracy, but exceptional care in preserving tone, emotional truth, and historical context.

 

Complexity Beneath the Surface

This project extended far beyond a standard book translation.

  • A long-form, multi-hundred-page manuscript requiring sustained narrative consistency

  • Sensitive personal and religious subject matter tied to real historical events

  • Names, dates, and family details that needed exact preservation

  • A living family audience with deep emotional investment in accuracy and tone

Every chapter demanded patience, cultural awareness, and respect for lived experience.

The Approach

Words Over Seas approached the project as a collaborative, long-term narrative effort.

Assigned a trusted Chinese–English translation team experienced in historical and literary work

Applied the standard TERP quality assurance process across the full manuscript

Verified names, historical references, and contextual nuances with multiple rounds of detailed client review

Coordinated image selection, personal photo curation, and formatting for final file delivery

The work unfolded over four months, balancing editorial discipline with close family collaboration.

The Outcome

The completed English translation preserved the voice, emotional integrity, and historical significance of the original manuscript. The family received fully formatted Word and PDF editions suitable for private circulation and future publication.

The project stands as a lasting record of one woman’s life and faith—translated with care so her story could be read, remembered, and shared across generations.