When Chinese author Wang Gang brought a smile to the faces of his Turkish listeners as he recounted how a musician back in Xinjiang had sung him a tune dubbed “Istanbul” just a few days ago, it’s unlikely few in the audience recognized the irony. After all, the theme of China’s presence at the 2013 … Continue reading The 2013 Istanbul Book Fair, Xinjiang Connections and “English”
Month: November 2013
Translation Crunch: Turkey Revs up for Role as Country of Honor at 2014 Beijing Book Fair
It has been officially announced that Turkey will be the Country of Honor at the 2014 Beijing Int’l Book Fair, as China was at the Istanbul In’tl Book Fair this year. A dearth of Turkish-to-Chinese translators means Turkish works like this one are often translated from the English. Which raises several questions: What contemporary works of … Continue reading Translation Crunch: Turkey Revs up for Role as Country of Honor at 2014 Beijing Book Fair
“Madam Atatürk: The First Lady of Modern Turkey” Now Out in English
The English translation of the biography of the woman who married Turkey's "Father of the Nation," Madam Atatürk: The First Lady of ModernTurkey, has just been launched. Author Ipek Çalışlar stood trial over charges of insulting the memory of Atatürk in her biography of Latife Hanım (Latife Uşakizâde) but was acquitted several years ago. Reports Hürriyet Daily News: A … Continue reading “Madam Atatürk: The First Lady of Modern Turkey” Now Out in English
Manchu Ulabun: A Hot Research Topic in China
Apparently known as ulabun in Manchu and Shuō bù (说部) in Chinese, this is a storytelling tradition—involving song and recital—among the Manchu of northeast China. These tales naturally center around folk heroes, indigenous religious beliefs and history of the Manchu, but some Chinese experts argue that it has long been influenced by the Han tradition … Continue reading Manchu Ulabun: A Hot Research Topic in China
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