After "White Deer Plain" and "Flowers", another Mao Dun Literature Award-winning work has launched a film and television drama adaptation. On March 5, a seminar on the adaptation and creation of the film and television drama "White Gate Willow" was held in Zhuhai.
It is reported that "White Gate Willow" is a long historical novel written by Liu Sifen, a famous writer in Guangdong, and won the 4th Mao Dun Literature Award. The novel has been adapted into dramas, Chinese operas, Cantonese operas, etc. This film and television drama adaptation of "White Gate Willow" is invested by Hengsong Group and created by Huaguang Film and Television Group.
Liu Sifen, the author of the novel "White Gate Willow", is full of expectations for this film and television drama adaptation. He believes that "White Gate Willow" is a cultural novel that is difficult to adapt, and he hopes that the adaptation team will work hard on appreciating both refined and popular tastes. In addition, he is also very touched that his first volume of "White Gate Willow" "Sunset Grass" will be translated into a foreign language and published by Professor Chu Dongwei, professor of translation at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and senior visiting scholar of the China Scholarship Council .
Professor Chu Dongwei, professor of translation at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and senior visiting scholar of China Scholarship Council.
Not long ago, Chu Dongwei held a lecture titled "Advancing Despite Difficulties: The Story Behind the Translation Story" in Room 203, University Garden, No. 10, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, University of Glasgow. Taking his own translation practice as an example, he introduced his two upcoming collections of English translations of contemporary Chinese literary short stories, "Beijing Men: Selected Short Stories by Active Chinese Women Writers" and "Visitors from the Mountains: Stories of Animals, People and Society". ", as well as the first part of Liu Sifen's historical novel "White Gate Willow", "Sunset Grass", which he has already translated.
Chu Dongwei showed the audience the comparison between the original text and the translated text by showing slides, as well as the difficulties he encountered in the translation process and how to solve them, including how to deal with cultural differences, language style, contextual information and other issues. He also shared his motivations and journey in translating Chinese literature into English, as well as his views and suggestions on translation theory and translation education.
Translation is not only a skill, but also an art. It requires the translator to have profound language skills, extensive knowledge background, keen cultural awareness and creative imagination, especially when translating historical and cultural novels such as Teacher Liu Sifen. It is necessary to reflect the original depth and conception of classic literature, and to use the vocabulary of external communication to faithfully present the historical sense and true appearance of the original characters. "This is equivalent to a useful and meaningful exploration practice."
Chu Dongwei believes that the English translation of Chinese literature is a kind of cross-cultural communication and creation. It must not only respect the spirit and beauty of the original work, but also consider the acceptance of the readers of the target language. and feedback. He encouraged teachers and students present, especially non-native speakers, not to be afraid of the difficulties and challenges of translation, but to have the courage to try and practice, constantly improve their translation level and ability, and contribute to the promotion of exchanges and understanding of Chinese and foreign cultures. The
lecture was hosted by Dr. Jonathan Evans, senior lecturer in translation studies at the University of Glasgow, and attracted many teachers and students who were interested in the English translation of Chinese literature to listen. After the sharing, Chu Dongwei also had a lively interaction and discussion with foreign friends, and had an in-depth exchange of views on the English translation space of Chinese literature.
"To tell Chinese stories well and spread China's voice well, we need to tell our cultural characteristics well in a way that friends can understand." Relevant personnel from Guangzhou Publishing House told Nandu reporters that good traditional Chinese culture needs good media to go global. On the one hand, the film, television and drama adaptation of classic literary works is also very important. It is also important to build a bridge for mutual learning and exchange among civilizations through foreign language translation. At present, the publishing industry will also increase its attention and support in this regard in a planned way.
Written by: Nandu reporter Wu Fengsi Correspondent Jiang Sheng
