The editor wanted to title the nouvella The Mongolian Pharmacist (蒙古药师), but Mongolian-to-Mandarin translator Hasen (哈森) resisted. After all, she argued, the setting for this new thriller was Manba Rasang Temple in 19th century Ordos. It served as a center for studies of ancient traditional medicine and treatment, and was frequented by Mongols, Tibetans, Manchus … Continue reading “Manba Rasang” (满巴扎仓): Secret Mongolian Pharmacopoeia, Manchu Villains and a Stubborn Translator
Daur Dictionary Revamp on the Cards
A brief news item on January 13, 2014, 《达斡尔语辞典》征求专家修订意见, informs us that a meeting was recently held at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences where experts were invited to discuss revising the existing 《达斡尔语辞典》, a dictionary of the Daur language. It took more than three decades to compile, and a contact of mine tells me it … Continue reading Daur Dictionary Revamp on the Cards
“Time Regulation Institute”: English Version of Tanpinar’s Classic to Launch
Arguably the greatest Turkish novel of the 20th century, Saatleri Ayarlama Enstitüsü has been translated into English as of January 7. Writes Istanbul-based Kalem Agency: The Time Regulation Institute, true to the style of modernity, exposes the dominance of time over modern man's life and their ever-changing relationships. The ebb and flow of time guides … Continue reading “Time Regulation Institute”: English Version of Tanpinar’s Classic to Launch
Candidates for Romanized Zhuang Exam: Few and Far Between
Some 318 candidates took part in Dec 6 exams testing literacy in the written Zhuang language held in Guangxi’s Nanning and Baise, according to a report in Nationalities Newspaper (会说不会写). Mind you, that’s a microscopic figure for a people who reportedly number around 18 million speakers. The most numerous non-Han ethnicity in China, the Zhuang … Continue reading Candidates for Romanized Zhuang Exam: Few and Far Between
Capturing Endangered Tongues of Yunnan
After decades of Chinese central government policies that baldly aimed at replacing non-Han languages with Mandarin, or at best simply tolerated their existence, real money is apparently now being spent to document and preserve them in ways that meet international standards. According to an article published at Chinawriter.com.cn (临危语言), several linguists from the Yunnan Endangered Languages … Continue reading Capturing Endangered Tongues of Yunnan
The 2013 Istanbul Book Fair, Xinjiang Connections and “English”
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”
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
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
Altaic Storytelling 