{"id":27812,"date":"2020-01-29T15:49:33","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T15:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/about.35.197.208.187.nip.io\/?p=27812"},"modified":"2025-09-24T05:45:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T05:45:32","slug":"xiaoying-liang-the-dictionary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/spotlights\/xiaoying-liang-the-dictionary\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dictionary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Screenshot of The Dictionary, Xiaoying Liang <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations on winning Zealous Stories: Animation! Your moving image \u2018The Dictionary\u2019 interrogates the definitions of everyday objects. What was your inspiration for this project?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/strong>My main sources of inspiration were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Treachery of Images<\/a>, <\/em>Painting by Ren\u00e9 Magritte<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One and Three Chairs, <\/em>Installation art by Joseph Kosuth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
 The Dictionary <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Your work explores the concepts of prescriptivism and descriptivism in linguistic theory. Can you tell us a more about what this means and how this is demonstrated in your animation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prescriptivism believes that language should be used in a certain way, people should follow instructions and rules written in books \/ the dictionary. Otherwise communication will eventually cease to exist. Descriptivism argues that the dictionary only describes the language in conjunction with how their speakers used it during a certain time period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my animation, the dictionary represents \u2018authorities\u2019 in languages, and the moving images and narration play with what happens when people actually use the language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The whole film performs the act of define and redefined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Preliminary poster sequence, Xiaoying Liang <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Could you give us some insight into your production process? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s my degree show project. The idea originates from the experience of being an international student who is constantly lost in translation. First, I broke down every dictionary definition and began to write a script. Then, I collected elements from magazines and brochures to make collages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I used photoshop to edit every image in the timeline, frame by frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am interested in the different layers one word could have. I started to research what\u2019s missing in the process of translation, with a set of experiments in iteration. This film is part of that iteration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Dictionary <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You tackle some of the complexities of words in your narration. Do you narrate as a sort of introspective recount of your personal thoughts?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, it\u2019s a way of storytelling, it goes with the movement of the objects. It reflects the mechanism of descriptivism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dictionary definition of Animation is: <\/strong>the technique of photographing successive drawings or positions of puppets or models to create an illusion of movement when the film is shown as a sequence<\/em><\/strong>. \u2013 How would you define your practice?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sequence of images demonstrates the fluid transaction of objects one word represents until it reaches the boundary the definition gives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Screenshot of Defining Graphic Communication Design, Xiaoying Liang <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Is moving image your preferred method of storytelling? Do you work in any other mediums?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, but not the only method. I work with printed materials as well. Before this film, I experimented with other medium too. For this project, I made a poster before the film when the idea started to take shape. I also made booklets and illustration. They are all sequences of objects and images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s next for you? Are you working on any exciting projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I just finished a commercial project which is also a film to define \u2018graphic design\u2019 in different languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Dictionary <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Xiaoying Liang\u2019s work, The Dictionary, was selected by industry guest judges from WONKY Films, Animago and Ars Electronica Animation Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow Xiaoying on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Want us to write more content like this? Give it a like<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n\t\t