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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

Translating Hope


  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. STUDY - 10:00


  4. Sitting at a desk with a mobile in hand, PETER practises words and phrases in Korean.


  5. PETER (V.O): I'm determined to expand my language skills.


  6. Practising.


  7. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I'm progressing day after day.


  8. Pausing.


  9. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Although the Korean sentence structure is different from Chinese, some Korean words sound similar.


  10. Practising.


  11. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): There must be some historical interactions and cultural exchanges between Korea and China.


  12. Pondering.


  13. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): My elder daughter has been studying in Seoul and will make it her home away from home.


  14. Act 2


  15. INT. RESTAURANT - 13:00


  16. Ringtones. Peter checks his mobile screen and sees "Emily".


  17. PETER (to mobile): Hi Emily!


  18. EMILY (from mobile): Hi Peter! I'm still passionate about legal translation and will run a Workshop...


  19. PETER (V.O.): I was interested in legal translation and had a diploma, but...


  20. EMILY (Cont'd) (from mobile): Could you write and perform a song on legal translation in the Workshop to be held in ICC?


  21. MONTAGE OF PETER'S ENGAGEMENT IN LEGAL TRANSLATION


  22. A. Theatre, OpenU - 2012. Before delivering a lecture on legal translation on IP, Peter plays a Martin's acoustic guitar and sings his song to entertain early-bird STUDENTS.


  23. B. Theatre, OpenU - 2014. On stage, Peter plays a PRS electric guitar and sings a song to celebrate the university's 20 years' anniversary.


  24. C. Lecture room, OpenU - 2016. Playing a Gibson electric guitar, Peter sings a song to entertain MEMBERS of a legal translation Institute.


  25. END MONTAGE


  26. PETER (To mobile): No problem...I just hope that I can deliver another song on legal translation...


  27. INT. INTERVIEW ROOM, OFFICES - 15:45


  28. After a meeting with a CLIENT, BRAR, the interpreter talks to Peter.


  29. BRAR: Do you enjoy your Korean lessons?

  30. .

  31. PETER: It has been tough! But I enjoy learning with my wife...


  32. Pausing.


  33. PETER (Cont'd): Using the Duolingo App, I'm learning Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French and Japanese by myself.


  34. BRAR: Wow!


  35. PETER: I've turned 70. I hope my learning of multiple languages can delay my cognitive decline.


  36. Noting his client's interest, Peter shows him the Duolingo App on his mobile screen.


  37. PETER: You may wish to learn Chinese during your stay here...


  38. We see his client's eyes appearing bright and lively.


  39. EXT. RIVERSIDE PARK - 19:00


  40. Peter and his WIFE walk KAJI, their pet.

  41. WIFE: The Hong Kong stock market is starting to bounce back, we've lost less money.


  42. PETER: And the prospect of regaining what was lost evoke feelings of hope and happiness.


  43. FLASHBACK


  44. INT. STUDY - 10:45 (Today)


  45. Noticing WhatsApp notifications, Peter stops his language studies to check them.


  46. PETER (V.O.): Oh dear, a friend of mine has got cancer again...


  47. Sighing.


  48. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It's really tough news to digest.


  49. Sighing again.


  50. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): I just hope that medical advancements and my friend's resilience could make a positive difference.


  51. Peter sends a written response.


  52. END FLASHBACK


  53. Act 3


  54. INT. STUDY - 21:45


  55. Peter inserts an AI drawing entitled "Translating Hope" to a draft.


  56. PETER (V.O): "Translating" implies the act of interpreting or converting, while "hope" represents a positive and uplifting emotion.


  57. Thinking.


  58. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Language can serve as a powerful medium to share hope, inspiration, and encouragement.


  59. Reflecting.


  60. PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Through my engagements, I hope to bridge barriers, break down communication obstacles and spread optimism in the face of adversity.


  61. FADE OUT


  62. THE END



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