Issues in the English Translation of University Names in East Asia

The names of universities in English-speaking countries can be broadly categorized into two basic formats: ‘X University’ and the ‘University of X’. When the only modifier in the name is a non-place element, the ‘University of X’ format must be used. When the only modifier in the name is a place, both ‘University of X’ and the ‘University of X’ are legal choices, but the “University of X” format has a higher formality and priority. However, most of the universities in East Asia, whether they are named after places or non-place elements, choose the ‘University of X’ format when translating their names into English. This phenomenon primarily arises from the fact that East Asian languages can express both ordinary modifier relationships and broad possessive relationships using the 'X+N' format. As a result, East Asian universities tend to adopt this format when translating their names, rather than opting for a structure that aligns more closely with English language conventions.