Editors’ Words

It has already been two years since the launch of Language Collage. Over these two years, we have overcome the pandemic, returned to normal life, and faced new opportunities and challenges. It is heartening that Language Collage has not only won the affection of its readers but has also received enthusiastic contributions from faculty and students across all CPCE divisions. The second issue builds on its predecessor and expands in both genre and form.

To begin with, we were fortunate to include original poetry for the first time: a young poet intertwines his extraordinary imagination with vivid language, crafting bold imagery with a surprising mixture of rawness and sensitivity. Additionally, we have exquisite vignettes that address important issues such as quarantine, nostalgia, and family life, presented to the readers through narratives rich in personal style. On the critical side, there are reviews of poetry, fiction, film, and play that span across time and cultures. They offer a broad spectrum of unique insights and showcase the beauty of intellectual critiques. Beyond creative writing and critical commentary, award-winning pieces from the division's translation competition are also compiled for readers to appreciate.

Division of Languages and Communication (LC) has always been actively updating its curricula to meet the needs of the times. We also advocate for pedagogical innovation and civic responsibility. Following the launch of an English service-learning subject for new immigrant children in 2021, the 2022-23 academic year saw the successful pilot of two more service-learning subjects, making meaningful contributions to the children of Hong Kong's refugees and ethnic minorities. This issue of Language Collage collects reflections and feedback from students who took these subjects, as well as personal stories co-created by students and refugee children.

It would not be an overstatement to claim that one of the biggest surprises 2023 has brought to the world is generative AI. This represents not only a major transformation in productivity but also a critical moment for education. As educators in the field of linguistics and researchers in languages and literature, we firmly believe in the irreplaceable value of personal insights into life, cultivation and exploration of language arts, and the warmth of education. Just as the writer Aman writes in his attempt to encourage our aspiring students, “I hope you bravely forge your own trajectory as a writer”, we hope Language Collage will continue its extraordinary path with your support.