Workshop connects writers with translators

Veteran translators and well-known publishers from more than 30 countries and regions gathered in Beijing this week to discuss the translation and publishing of Chinese literature.

They are in Beijing to attend the 2015 Sino-Foreign Literature Translation & Publishing Workshop, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Culture and the Chinese Writers Association. The event runs from Aug. 25 to 29.

Along with lectures and dialogues, a symposium was held on Tuesday afternoon in the Lu Xun Literature Academy in Beijing. More than 50 translators and publishers discussed the translation of literature with representative and active Chinese writers, including Li Er, Qiu Huadong, Ji Wenjun, Xu Zechen and Shi Yifeng.

Chinese novelist Ji Wenjun said translators are like dancers wearing chains, while as a butterfly works hard to emerge from its cocoon, the process of translating involves both pain and joy. Ji is famous for her novels including "Tianhe," "Carved Lacquer" and "Dan."

Beijing-based author and translator Shi Yifeng said he viewed translation as recreation of literature. He said that translation figures out not only the issues of language, but also the culture. "A good writer writes for his country and his people. So the translation should present the original work both in its literary aspect and in reflecting a nation's features." Though translating is also creation, he mentioned that translators are often hidden behind authors and ignored. "It's not easy for them," he said. Shi's representative novels include "The Fruit under the Red Flag," "Loving Beijing" and "My Sister."