Lin reads foreign newspapers and magazines every day, because he believes that "language evolves with time" and he must keep abreast of the times and learn "modern Chinese and modern English" so that his translation won't become outdated. In 2012, the TAC presented him with an Award for Special Contribution to Translation.

A common idea is that translation entails loneliness and requires painstaking work on the part of the translator. However, Lin insists he has never felt any "pain" from translation. "Translating is fun. It brings you more enjoyable things than other work, because you know that what you are doing is meaningful and interesting. Translation gives you a wider perspective, broadens your horizons, and enables you to better understand life. All these are pleasure instead of hardships."