Chapter 23 Postscript of Maomao's translation

In the early 1980s, when I was working in the editorial department of "World Literature", I once talked with an official of the cultural section of the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany at a reception held at the embassy in China, and asked him to recommend one or two of the best children's books in contemporary Germany. literature. Without thinking, he recommended to me the writer Mitchell Ender and his two novels (Momo) and (Die unenliche Geschichte). From October 1983 to April 1984, I visited the Federal Republic of Germany and bought these two books when I came back.Due to my busy work, I didn't start translating until the summer of 1985 (Wang Lei, a college student who just graduated at that time, translated some chapters).Because the publishing house I contacted at first didn’t like the title of the book and asked for a new name, so I had to change the name to "Mystery of Time" based on the main content of this book without authorization (later published by China Peace Publishing House, 1987? Beijing).At that time, I originally planned to edit and publish a set of contemporary world children's literature library together with my friends.

Shelved due to job reassignment plan.And it was not until 1988 that I started to translate. The title of a book is carefully designed by the author.In principle, the translator should not change it casually.Especially for a world famous book, if you change the title, people will think it is another book.Doing so is not only disloyal to the original text, but also disrespectful to the original author.Even if the original title of the book has to be changed due to translation difficulties or other reasons, it should be clearly stated on the copyright page or the preface and postscript, and the original text should be indicated.

Due to the sloppy work of translating and publishing this book (including editing and proofreading) at that time, the printing quality of the book was very poor, and there were even too many undue mistakes.At that time, I was sent to work at the Chinese Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany shortly after I submitted the manuscript, and I did not read the proofs.When I saw the printed book, I was so regretful that I felt sorry for the author and readers, especially for the young Chinese readers, because they have not yet the ability to judge.This made me feel a heavy sense of guilt. On October 14th, 1989, I met writer Mitchell Ender himself at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany and presented him with the Chinese translation of the newly published (Hebei Children's Publishing House, 1989? Shijiazhuang).Earlier, I had sent him "The Mystery of Time" (). (For the present and the future, I would like to send all good wishes; Mitchell Ender. October 14, 1989 This book belongs to: Li Shixun) Mr. Ender's approachability, his childlike innocence, love and high sense of responsibility to society, give I am impressed.Therefore, the poor quality of translation and publication of "The Mystery of Time" makes my conscience even more disturbed.After that, I kept in touch with the publishing house, hoping to revise and republish the book as soon as possible to make up for the shortcomings.But things didn't go as expected.Until the summer of 1997 when I returned to Beijing to contact again, there was still no result. In March 1998, at the Leipzig Book Fair in Germany, I approached the person in charge of the copyright department of Tinemann Publishing House and wanted to buy the copyright first. Unexpectedly, their answer was: the copyright had been bought by a publishing house in Taiwan.I wrote to the Taiwan publishing house according to the address provided by the press, but did not get a reply.

When I was deeply disappointed, a piece of good news came at the beginning of this year: friends from People's Literature Publishing House heard that 21st Century Publishing House had bought the copyright of the book and recommended me as a translator to the publishing house.After I returned to Beijing before the Spring Festival, I called the president of the agency, Mr. Zhang Qiulin, the next morning.They said in the agency that the director is in Beijing and told me his mobile phone number.So I immediately dialed his cell phone and agreed to meet him at his hotel in two hours. He was preparing to return to Nanchang that afternoon.

When we arrived at the hotel, we hit it off right away.He introduced the publication plan of his big fantasy literature and the hero who promotes the creation of children's literature in China.Xin Zhuangzhi and his friendship with Mr. Weiterbrecht, the president of Germany's Tinemann Publishing House.I also introduced the process of translating and getting to know the writer Endeok himself, as well as my future plans and suggestions.It's really "toast to a bosom friend when drinking wine". The result was that both parties immediately agreed to a translation and publishing contract.First out, and then strive to launch "Ende Anthology" as soon as possible.

I'm overjoyed that my long-cherished wish has come true so quickly!Over the years, what I have been looking for is exactly such a publisher with ideals, insights, courage to do things, and a snap.Therefore, regardless of the exhaustion of the journey, I immediately accelerated the revision, visited relatives and friends during the day, and received guests until late at night.My son—the first reader of the Chinese translation—also helped me type after get off work and asked someone to do it for me to reduce my workload when editing. Before returning to Germany on March 18, there are still 30 negatives to be entered.Back in Germany, I immediately turned on my computer and went on.Now, I feel a burst of relief after the correction, input, reading and proofreading of the school plan are finally completed and I write this postscript.

This edited and revised translation is based on the 1973 edition of Germany's Thiennemann Publishing House, and completely restores the original appearance of the original work from the text to the layout.Only this postscript is added.I would like to take this opportunity to just say the above and express my thanks to my friends.At the same time, I sincerely hope that readers will criticize and correct me. April 5, 1999 Easter in Fürstenwald, Germany Li Shixun