Introduction:
On November 20, novelist Yang Shuang-zi (楊双子) made history by becoming the first Taiwanese author to win the prestigious U.S. National Book Award for Translated Literature. This remarkable achievement would not have been possible without the dedicated work of Lin King (金翎), the translator of Yang’s award-winning novel Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄). King expressed immense pride in her role in bringing Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience.
Lin King’s Contribution to Taiwanese Literature
In a recent interview, Lin King shared her excitement about translating Taiwan Travelogue into English and bringing Taiwan’s unique story to the international stage. “Taiwan is a rare place in the Chinese-speaking world where people enjoy freedom of speech. Taiwanese literature, therefore, is the most liberated form of Chinese literature,” King remarked, emphasizing the significance of the island’s literary voice.
The novel, which follows a Japanese writer, Aoyama Chizuko (青山千鶴子), on a culinary adventure through Taiwan in 1938, explores Taiwan’s history under Japanese colonial rule. The book is structured around Taiwan’s railway system, and its narrative is presented as a translation of a foreign text, a creative device that sparked both intrigue and debate upon its original publication in 2020.
The Unconventional Translation Challenge
King took on a unique challenge in translating Taiwan Travelogue, given the narrative’s intricate structure and the historical context of Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. The novel itself is presented as a “foreign” text, attributed to the central character Aoyama, with Yang listed as the translator.
King viewed this unconventional authorship as an exciting opportunity. “The translators and footnotes in the original text gave me plenty of room to participate in Shuang-zi’s wordplay, making me a ‘character’ in the translated work,” King said. For her, this was a rare opportunity to blend her voice with that of the author, creating a bridge between cultures.
Despite the creative freedom, the translation process posed challenges. King mentioned the difficulty of finding appropriate English equivalents for cultural and historical terms related to Taiwan’s food culture, clothing, family structures, and the Japanese colonial language.
“Many of these details are unfamiliar even to native Taiwanese,” King explained. Her efforts were supported by Yuko Miura’s Japanese translation of the book, which helped clarify some of the nuances during the translation process.
A Poignant Exploration of Taiwan’s History
One of the standout elements of Taiwan Travelogue is its balance of humor, romance, and history. King praised Yang for taking what could have been a heavy, historical account and transforming it into a story that resonates with readers through everyday experiences.
“Shuang-zi envelops Taiwan’s complex and brutal history in food, romance, and humor. This approach makes the information more digestible for readers and reminds them that history is composed of daily life,” King said. The moments of sweetness in the story amplify the emotional weight of Taiwan’s painful memories of colonialism and wartime, making the historical themes accessible to a broader audience.
Lin King’s Journey as a Translator
Born to Taiwanese parents in New York, Lin King has always been immersed in both Taiwanese and Western literary traditions. Her journey into literary translation began during her time at Princeton University, where she developed a love for both English and Japanese literature. After studying at Columbia University, she honed her skills as a translator and published her first work, translating Edogawa Ranpo’s The Daydream from Japanese to English.
However, King acknowledged that being a translator in the United States posed its own set of challenges. “When I was translating Taiwan Travelogue and waiting for publishers’ responses, I supported myself by working as an administrative staffer at the university,” she shared. Despite the hardships, her passion for literature and the opportunity to amplify Taiwanese voices kept her motivated.
Looking Ahead: A Dedication to Taiwanese Literature
As King looks to the future, she remains committed to translating works from Taiwan or by Taiwanese descendants. In addition to Taiwan Travelogue, King has also translated The Boy from Clearwater (來自清水的孩子), a graphic novel about Taiwan’s journey from the White Terror era to its democratic transformation.
“I hope we can embrace the diversity and inclusivity of Taiwanese society and share with the world the stories only Taiwan can tell,” King said, expressing her dedication to bringing more Taiwanese literature to a global audience.
Table: Key Information on Lin King’s Work and Achievements
| Name | Lin King |
|---|---|
| Role | Translator of Taiwan Travelogue |
| Born | 1993, New York (Taiwanese parents) |
| Notable Works | Taiwan Travelogue, The Boy from Clearwater |
| Translation Challenges | Cultural terms, historical context, Japanese colonial language |
| Future Plans | Focus on Taiwanese literature and works by Taiwanese descendants |
FAQs:
1. What is Taiwan Travelogue about?
Taiwan Travelogue is a novel set in 1938 that follows a Japanese writer, Aoyama Chizuko, on a culinary journey through Taiwan. It explores themes such as colonialism, gender discrimination, and race, while also delving into the island’s food culture, historical landmarks, and the everyday life of its people.
2. What makes Lin King’s translation of Taiwan Travelogue unique?
King’s translation is notable for its creative approach to the book’s structure, with the novel being presented as a foreign text attributed to one of its characters, Aoyama Chizuko. This allowed King to add her own voice and engage in wordplay, making her role as a translator a more interactive experience.
3. What challenges did Lin King face while translating Taiwan Travelogue?
King faced significant challenges in translating cultural references from Taiwan’s history under Japanese rule, such as food culture, clothing, and the Japanese colonial language. She relied on extensive research and support from a Japanese translation of the book to overcome these obstacles.
4. How did Lin King’s background contribute to her translation work?
Born to Taiwanese parents and raised in New York, Lin King was exposed to both Taiwanese and Western literary traditions. Her academic journey, including studies at Princeton and Columbia University, along with her passion for Japanese literature, played a key role in shaping her translation work.
5. What other works has Lin King translated?
In addition to Taiwan Travelogue, Lin King has translated The Boy from Clearwater, a four-volume graphic novel that examines Taiwan’s transformation from the White Terror era to its democratic evolution.
