The "Ireland Literary Translation Award," hosted by the Consulate General of Ireland in Shanghai, was presented for the second time yesterday at the Shanghai Book Fair. Bai Li, who translated the work "The Empty House" by contemporary Irish author Colm Tóibín, became the second recipient of the award. The publisher of this work, Shanghai Jiu Jiu Reading, also received recognition with the "Best Publisher Award."
Reflecting on the Ireland Literary Translation Award, I am reminded of the recent visit to Shanghai by Japanese translator Yoshida Tomio, who became an expert on Mo Yan after translating his works and published a monograph titled "The Essence of Mo Yan." Yoshida noted that since Lu Xun, the translation of Chinese literature in Japan has not been extensive. "Although there are university programs teaching Chinese, there are very few dedicated to Chinese literature, and the prospects for scholars studying Chinese literature are not ideal."
How can contemporary Chinese literature reach a wider audience? Scholar Mao Danqing, based in Japan, believes that foreign translators who have a genuine connection with Chinese literary works should be valued, and he proposed the establishment of a "Chinese Literature Translation Award" to encourage foreign scholars with language skills to focus on Chinese literature.
From the award presentation of the "Ireland Literary Translation Award," it seems that what translators and publishing institutions value more than the monetary prize is the respect gained from the ceremony. The best translation award is only 17,000 yuan, but the establishment of the award itself represents an attitude and concern.
