Chapter 102 Section 9 An Unexpected Surprise - The English Translation Project of "Modern Chinese Literature in Taiwan"

In 1996, Wang Dewei invited me to participate in the English translation project of "Modern Chinese Literat Ure from TaiWan" of Columbia University Press. He, Ma Yueran and I formed the editorial committee. The project was funded by the Taiwan Chiang Ching-kuo International Academic Exchange Fund meeting.This is the last unexpected surprise in my life, a good opportunity to fulfill my wish.In addition to the cultural significance of this cooperation, there are layers of public-private ties. After Wang Dewei graduated from the Department of Foreign Languages ​​and Literatures of National Taiwan University in 1976, he went to the University of Wisconsin to obtain a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature. In 1987, he taught in the East Asian Department of Harvard University. Lan Xi and I invited him to be a consultant for the PEN English Quarterly. He He often visits relatives in Taiwan and attends literary conferences. His comments on Taiwanese literature are extensive and influential.

In 1990, he transferred to Columbia University to serve as Ding Long's lecturer, and was hired as an advisory member of Columbia University Press, and was entrusted to implement the Taiwanese literature English translation project promoted by the Chiang Foundation.He invited me to cooperate so far, and there are currently 30 published works.There are Zhang Guixing's "Monkey Cup", Zhu Tianxin and Luo Yijun's "The Surname of the Moon", Cai Sufen's "Children of Yantian", and Wu Jiwen's "Tianhe Chaos".The following is a list of works edited and published by me and Wang Dewei:

Wang Zhen and "Rose Rose I Love You" "Three-legged Horse" by Zheng Qingwen Zhu Tianwen Xiao Lihong Zhang Dachun "Wild Child" "Anthology of Modern Poetry in Taiwan" edited by Xi Mi and Ma Yueran Li Qiao Huang Chunming Zhang Xiguo's "City Trilogy" Li Yongping "Jiling Spring and Autumn" Shi Shuqing "Aboriginal Literature" edited by Tao Wangji "The Last Whampoa" edited by Qi Bangyuan and Wang Dewei Ping Lu "Walk to the End of the World" Wu Zhuoliu "Orphans of Asia" In 1989, Wang Dewei returned to Taiwan to bury his father. Not long after the funeral, Mr. Liang Surong, a family friend of mine, asked me:

"Do you know that he is the son of Mr. Wang Jingren?"At that time, my father had just passed away two years ago, and I still remember everything before his death.After he came to Taiwan, he had nothing left. Those who are willing to help him keep the first-line incense of "Time and Tide" are friends who give charcoal in a timely manner, and I am forever grateful. Mr. Wang Jingren was the Director of Education in Changling County, Jilin during the Japanese occupation of Northeast China. He secretly participated in anti-Japanese underground work and supported the revolutionary activities in charge of my father. He was full of patriotism and sense of justice.Unexpectedly, after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the international and domestic policies made mistakes, and the Northeast fell into the hands of the CCP first. After traveling thousands of miles, he came to Taiwan alone. Joined the "Time and Tide" agency, which resumed publication in Taiwan, as a writing editor, and was also in charge of social affairs.From the late 1950s to the 1970s, Yi helped my father maintain the publication of the weekly magazine for more than ten years. Not only did he not pay his salary, but he also faced political incorrectness in prison at any time for advocating political freedom of thought.Times and Trends, which used to be the most important international political commentary in Chongqing during the eight years of the Anti-Japanese War, was often on the verge of bankruptcy and was ordered to suspend publication several times.The last time I published 153 issues, I got 152 warnings from the authorities, and the publication was finally suspended! During those ten years, in the rented room from Xuchang Street to Jinxi Street in Taipei, regardless of the outside It takes a lot of courage to share the unattainable literati ideals and aspirations! Uncle Jingren’s morality and strength of character make me grateful and admirable.If their old brothers can be reunited in heaven, they will be gratified to see the two generations of literary relationship between Dulwich and me.

For ten years we corresponded with pen and paper.When I advanced to the fax machine, the first letter to Dulwich was written on the Lunar New Year's Eve in 1998: "The cold current is coming in waves, and the sound of firecrackers outside the window is less than in previous years. According to reports, Boom, everything is depressed..." This letter was written for Li Qiaoying's translation and publication.At that time, Columbia University asked a reviewer to think that it was valuable for the study of world literature, but it might not be "very interesting" to ordinary English readers.I said that if it is valuable, it is worth publishing this plan. From the perspective of "Rose Rose I Love You" and "Asian Orphans", of course "boring", but this year's winner of the British and American awards, Arundhati.Lowe, The God of Small Things and Charles.Fraser's Cold Mountain isn't very interesting either.As far as the development of Taiwanese literature is concerned, "Three-legged Horse" and these novels are what we love.When I mentioned this point at an international seminar later, an American scholar responded: "You say, dear to us, but there are many different 'us' in the world!"

When I reread the letter ten years later, I thought of the struggles Dulwich and I had in selecting, translating, and publishing the books. It is really a revolutionary feeling.Dulwich's mother, Ms. Jiang Yunzhong, joined the local moral society in Shenyang in her early years, and her lifelong career involved social services such as women's literacy classes, skill classes, and kindergartens.At that time, the Daodehui had a religious heart but no religious form, and did not participate in any political activities. It helped countless women get out of their ignorance and tragic fate in the isolated North Country, from the Northeast to Taiwan in a simple way that was most close to the people's sentiments. , always doing these things.Dulwich was born in Taipei in 1954. He grew up from a boy who "find a corner to sit down and read" and became a true scholar. He was also extremely helpful. Innate attitude towards life.Our common attitude towards Taiwanese literature is dedication and affection, before "do you love Taiwan or not" became a political slogan.Fortunately, as long as Columbia University exists, the publishing house can continue to operate, and our set of books can last forever.Later generations who read this overseas may have a real understanding of the place of origin, and the efforts of Dulwich and me over the past few years should also have some eternal value.