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
King Gesar Update: Academics Congregate, but Septuagenarian Bard Struggles to Pass on the Tradition
One-third of the extant written versions of the Tibetan epic King Gesar (格萨尔王) make a reference to Maqu County in Gansu (玛曲), leading Chinese experts to believe it may be the historical birthplace of the epic. But according to a report on Chinanews.com (说唱传承人), only one bard residing there is capable of performing the saga. … Continue reading King Gesar Update: Academics Congregate, but Septuagenarian Bard Struggles to Pass on the Tradition
Chinese Fiction in Translation: Novels/Novellas with “Ethnic” Theme
Over the last few months a number of reporters have e-mailed to ask about the state of Chinese literature in translation, particularly in light of Mo Yan's winning the 2012 Nobel Prize for Literature. But most cite just a handful of authors and works in their questions--- and Shanghai Baby, translated by yours truly over a … Continue reading Chinese Fiction in Translation: Novels/Novellas with “Ethnic” Theme
Mo Yan’s Nobel and Chinese Fiction Exports: Time to “Serve the Reader”?
Resting on translation Professor Xie Tianzhen’s desk is a recent dissertation by one of his students, ‘The Dream of the Red Chamber’: A Century of English Translations. It documents the strong preference of Western readers for David Hawke’s edition, though Chinese specialists consider it flawed compared to the more accurate version by Yang Xianyi and … Continue reading Mo Yan’s Nobel and Chinese Fiction Exports: Time to “Serve the Reader”?
“The Shepherd’s Dream”: An Excerpt from Alai’s “King Gesar”
Several years ago, UK publisher Canongate commissioned contemporary ethnic Tibetan writer Alai to pen his own creative version of the King Gesar saga. The plan: to launch Alai's King Gesar (格萨尔王, 阿来著) as part of its global Myth Series, joining other creatively re-told tales including The Penelopiad (Margaret Atwood’s take on Penelope of The Odyssey), Baba Yaga Laid an Egg (Baba Yaga as … Continue reading “The Shepherd’s Dream”: An Excerpt from Alai’s “King Gesar”
Thoreau’s “Walden”, Translator Li Jihong and the Missing Aliens
As the sun sets here in Antalya, Turkey, by now the controversial English-to-Chinese translator Li Jihong (李继宏, below) should already have delivered his speech today at the Shanghai Book Festival, entitled " 经典何以需要新译？" (“Why do the classics need new translations?) His spiel was part of the official launch event for his newest translation, 《瓦尔登湖》(Thoreau's Walden). … Continue reading Thoreau’s “Walden”, Translator Li Jihong and the Missing Aliens
“Tibet Code”: China’s New Imaginary
In Inventing Chinese Mass Tourism to Tibet, we see the creative marketing of China's Tibet moving into high gear: The most recent and most spectacular staging of Tibetan history and culture, specifically intended for tourist consumption, was announced in 2013. Three mass entertainment companies combined in 2013 to turn the best selling Chinese fantasy book … Continue reading “Tibet Code”: China’s New Imaginary
“Het laatste kwartier van de maan”: Launching August 20
If you don't know Chinese and prefer not to read Chi Zijian's classic <额尔古纳河右岸> about the twilight of the Evenki in English later this year you can enjoy it in Dutch---Het laatse kwartier van de maan. It will be available from The House of Books beginning the latter part of August 2013. But please note: … Continue reading “Het laatste kwartier van de maan”: Launching August 20
Chutzpah!: Latest Issue Devoted to Writers of non-Han Descent
Good news from the bimonthly Chinese literary magazine Chutzpah! (天南): the latest edition (Issue 14) is devoted entirely to writing by authors of non-Han descent. Several languages are involved here—most are published in Chinese, but some were written in other tongues and then translated into Chinese, while one has been rendered in English. The latter … Continue reading Chutzpah!: Latest Issue Devoted to Writers of non-Han Descent
Altaic Storytelling 