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KPPTS to introduce more contemporary Chinese poetry overseas

Editor: Chen Yue 丨CCTV.com

04-11-2016 16:23 BJT

by CCTV.com reporter Chen Yue

The International High Level Forum on Contemporary Chinese Poetry Translation and Transmission opened April 8. The two-day event was hosted by the Center for Translation and Dissemination of Chinese Culture of Beijing Language and Culture University and Chinese Culture Translation and Studies Support (CCTSS), and focused on the in-depth discussion on the present situation and future development of Chinese poetry translation, publication, dissemination in overseas.

The forum was attended by more than 20 important overseas Chinese to foreign languages poetry translators, poetry publishers and poetry activities from more than 12 countries, and more than 20 domestic famous poets.

The International High Level Forum on Contemporary Chinese Poetry Translation and Transmission was attended by more than 20 important overseas Chinese to foreign languages poetry translators, poetry publishers and poetry activities from more than 12 countries, and more than 20 domestic famous poets.

The International High Level Forum on Contemporary Chinese Poetry Translation and Transmission was attended by more than 20 important overseas Chinese to foreign languages poetry translators, poetry publishers and poetry activities from more than 12 countries, and more than 20 domestic famous poets. 

One of the highlights at the forum was the announcement of the Establishment of "KeyPoints" Poetry Translation Studio (KPPTS) at the opening ceremony April 8. Zhao Si, Chinese poet and poetry translator, was the supervisor of the studio. As Jidi Majia, poet and vice chairman of the Chinese Writers Association, said that the studio was set up to "build a communication platform for Chinese poets and foreign poetry translators."

In the theme discussions, four major problems in the fields of Chinese poetry’s translation, publication, dissemination were repeatedly mentioned by both Chinese and overseas poets, poetry translators and activists.

To start off, poetry translation itself is difficult, which is made more taxing by the lack of qualified translators. The panel discussed how to put the Chinese poems in another language without losing the essence of the original works and also making them suitable for foreign audiences. Many translators spoke from their experience on the subject. Jennifer Feeley, American poet and translator, said "I believe that when it comes to Chinese poetry, it is important to have someone who is a native speaker of English as part of selection and editorial process, as well as in the translation process."

Whether a non-poet translator could fulfill the mission of poetry translation was a hot topic in the speeches of the attendants. Most of them suggested that poets themselves get involved in the translation process, and it is better if the translators are also poets of their own languages. Jidi Majia said "It is necessary to have a poet to participate in the process of translation, otherwise the credibility of the translation of poetry will become very low."

As Jidi Majia, poet and vice chairman of the Chinese Writers Association, said that the studio was set up to “build a communication platform for Chinese poets and foreign poetry translators.”

As Jidi Majia, poet and vice chairman of the Chinese Writers Association, said that the KPPTS was set up to “build a communication platform for Chinese poets and foreign poetry translators.”

In addition, only a very limited amount of poetry from Chinese poets has been translated into other languages, and their appearance in the foreign bookstores are scarce. Although the "contemporary Chinese poetry in translation has been gaining more attention in the U.S. and beyond," as Feeley said, the quantities of which appeared in front of the audience and in the bookstores in the foreign countries, especially in non-English speaking countries, are still limited, as other translators have realized.

And few Chinese poems or poets are seen at the international poetry festivals. Mr. Pierre Béland, Canadian novelist and Chinese to French translator, said that he rarely saw either Chinese poetry or Chinese poets at the poetry festival in Quebec, Canada. Likewise, Bas Kwakman, director of the Poetry International Festival Rotterdam, also said that the situation was the same at the International Festival Rotterdam.

Last but not least, the lack of funds for the poetry translation work hinders its process. At the forum, many Chinese and foreign poets and translators expressed their concern on this problem. In his speech, Jidi Dajia said that "the Chinese Writers Association will provide some financial support for translation, especially poetry translation." But it is far from enough, since the poetry translation is a long-term project based on expanding demand. Feeley said, "Contemporary Chinese poetry in translation has been gaining more attention in the U.S. and beyond."

Therefore, the establishment of the KPPTS is of great significance. As Jiang Haoshu, Dean of the joint working group office of the CCTSS and director of the Translation Branch, Bureau of External Relations, Ministry of Culture, said that the studio is to "further promote communication and interaction between both Chinese and foreign poetry, poets, translators, curators, communicators and scholars," and "to continuously support Chinese and foreign poetry's inter-translation, publication and dissemination." He also calls for more poem readings, more poem related performance to make poetry part of people’s daily lives.

The International High Level Forum on Contemporary Chinese Poetry Translation and Transmission was attended by more than 20 important overseas Chinese to foreign languages poetry translators, poetry publishers and poetry activities from more than 12 countries, and more than 20 domestic famous poets.

The International High Level Forum on Contemporary Chinese Poetry Translation and Transmission was attended by more than 20 important overseas Chinese to foreign languages poetry translators, poetry publishers and poetry activities from more than 12 countries, and more than 20 domestic famous poets.

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