(Posted: Jun 27, 2015) China unveiled its premier Encyclopedia of Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage (中国非物质文化遗产, 史诗卷) on June 12, reports China Daily (Released). This is the first of three volumes, and is dedicated to three great oral epics of the Tibetans, Mongols and Kyrgyz, respectively: King Gesar, Jangar and Manas. The cover is in Chinese and … Continue reading China’s New Intangible Cultural Heritage Encyclopedia: Celebration of Multi-ethnicity, or Aggressive Cultural Appropriation?
Author: xumushi
Chinese-to-English literary translator. Interested in topics such as fiction by the non-Han peoples of China, storytelling by Altaic peoples, and Silk Road cultures.
Silk Road Economic Belt: Translators to Get their Slice of the Pie
Representatives of five of China’s northwestern provinces met June 15 in Xining to discuss how to benefit from the “Silk Road Fragrant Books Project” (丝路书香工程). This is a global publishing initiative, given the stamp of approval by China’s Ministry of Propaganda, which is designed to stimulate the translation and publication of great literary, historical and … Continue reading Silk Road Economic Belt: Translators to Get their Slice of the Pie
Extract: “The Embassy’s China Bride” by Jiu Dan
The Embassy’s China Bride 《大使先生》九丹著 Author: Jiu Dan Translator: Bruce Humes Editor: Christopher Cottrell She’s an aging Chinese female novelist of cult fame banned for her intimate portrayal of women and their men. Her lover De Niro is a wild Italian hell-bent on motorcycles. Her other lover is an ambassador to the Middle Kingdom, and … Continue reading Extract: “The Embassy’s China Bride” by Jiu Dan
Inner Mongolian Artists Speak Up as Mining and Logging Encroach on Traditional Grazing Lands
Protests over land have occurred in several herding communities in Inner Mongolia during May and early June, according to RFA (Grassland Protests Spread). Ethnic Mongolian herders say access to traditional grazing land is increasingly being curtailed or permanently denied in favor of mining and logging projects, or highway construction. Inadequate or total lack of compensation … Continue reading Inner Mongolian Artists Speak Up as Mining and Logging Encroach on Traditional Grazing Lands
“Dissident Writers” with Chinese Characteristics
In Censorship and Salesmanship at America’s Biggest Book Fair , Christopher beam argues that categorizing China's community of writers into "dissidents and collaborators misses the nuances of Chinese publishing and politics": “People use the term ‘dissident writer’ in a very confused way,” said Eric Abrahamsen, an American translator and publishing consultant who lives in Beijing, and … Continue reading “Dissident Writers” with Chinese Characteristics
One-Size-Fits-All Qualification Exam for China Publishing Professionals Militates Against Ethnic Minority Talent
In China, since 2002 all technical staff employed in a publishing enterprise engaged in “editing, publication, proofreading and distribution . . . must obtain a National Publication Professional Qualification Certificate” (国家出版专业职业资格). That sounds fairly reasonable in the China context where media is tightly managed for political correctness. But the reality is that in one sector … Continue reading One-Size-Fits-All Qualification Exam for China Publishing Professionals Militates Against Ethnic Minority Talent
“Shanghai Baby” and “Candy”: Back When Young Female Chinese Writers “Wrote with their Bodies”
Just finished translating a new semi-autobiographical novella (synopsis), The Embassy's China Bride (大使先生), by Jiu Dan of Crows fame (乌鸦, 九丹著). This reminded me that at the turn of 21st century, three young Chinese female writers were busy boldly writing about their sexuality, orgasms and all, and being lambasted for it by the critics and … Continue reading “Shanghai Baby” and “Candy”: Back When Young Female Chinese Writers “Wrote with their Bodies”
“Customs of Zhuang People”
The book “Customs of Zhuang People” describes a remote village where people feel more comfortable singing to stranger than talking to them. So if you got lost in the mountains, you are better off singing your inquiries if you want to get directions from the locals. 『壯族風情錄』裡說，在壯山裡問路，要用唱的人家才回答你。 這不是為難人嗎？ 我好不容易背了簡單的句子問路。這麼看來，練說的不夠，要練唱！ 所以，我寫了首相見歌，等我壯文再多學點，可以用壯文來唱。 Visit Song of Reunion 相见歌 for full text by Chilin … Continue reading “Customs of Zhuang People”
Interrupted Traditions of “Altishahr,” Oasis Towns Ringing the Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang
In Wall Street Journal’s interview with Rian Thum, author of The Sacred Routes of Uyghur History, we learn that a century ago Uyghur in the Altishahr region (lit. “six cities”) traditionally visited shrines where the history of a local Islamic saint was read out loud to visitors. Question posed by Wall Street Journal is bolded, … Continue reading Interrupted Traditions of “Altishahr,” Oasis Towns Ringing the Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang
Pro-active Guide for Foreign Scribes: How to Deal with Censorship of Your Writing in Xi Dada’s China
In a global world where the printed book resembles a species under threat, China’s publishing industry is a striking exception. Total revenues exceeded US$16 billion in 2012, and annual growth averages 10 percent. And in that same year, Chinese publishers acquired 16,115 foreign titles. Authors worldwide naturally want to break into this potentially lucrative market. … Continue reading Pro-active Guide for Foreign Scribes: How to Deal with Censorship of Your Writing in Xi Dada’s China
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