韩安德 澳门利氏学社
Hansson, Anders, Macau Ricci Institute
原文Original
Translating Chinese Literature: The Process of Publication
From mid-2007 until earlier this year I was the editor of Renditions (Chinese title: 《译丛》), a twice a year journal published at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, which publishes English translations of Chinese literature.
Two years ago a visiting professor from Oxford, invited to talk to Renditions staff, highlighted the importance of anthologies in creating a literary canon. He also suggested that my colleagues and I might wield a certain influence in that direction as we went about our task of selecting material suitable for publication. I am more of a historian than a literary person and to hear it suggested that I might be influencing the reception of Chinese literature in the English-speaking world and the establishment of a canon was slightly alarming. More in line with my own area of expertise, one of my first endeavours was to draw up a comprehensive style guide with particular attention to sinology.
Renditions publishes two kinds of issues: general issues and special theme issues.
For general issues with no special theme, the journal relies largely on unsolicited contributions, and the editors are relatively passive but occasionally contribute translations of their own.
Obviously unsuitable submissions may be rejected summarily; others are sent for peer review after a staff meeting discussion. At some stage the translator may be asked to revise the translation.
Most translations come from academics, predominantly with literary interests. Not all are experienced translators or have literary rather than academic goals.
A major reason for rejection is poor English produced by non-native speakers, inexperienced native-speakers, or others who stick too close to Chinese syntax. Renditions staff are prepared to improve style, especially if a translation is of particular literary or historical interest.
The reviewers are mostly previous contributors and academics in Hong Kong, the US and British Commonwealth countries.
Special issues often introduce otherwise neglected types of writing and often have guest editors, who are generally academics and often have a personal connection with the Renditions editor. The selection of contributors and texts is handled by the guest editor in consultation with Renditions staff. Guest editors typically invite colleagues and students to contribute, but also people whom they do not know personally.
The process of copy-editing is the second main task of the editorial staff and the one that takes the most time. Finally, the editorial staff also arrange for printing, formal publication, and distribution, all tasks demanding attention to detail, knowledge of publishing, and commitment to Renditions’goals.
译文Translation
翻译中国文学：出版流程
从2007年年中到今年早些时候，我一直是《译丛》（Renditions）杂志的编辑。这是一本由香港中文大学出版的半年刊杂志，主要发表翻译成英文的中国文学作品。
两年前，一位来自牛津大学的客座教授在应邀为《译丛》员工做讲座时，特别强调了文选这类书籍在确立文学正典方面的重要性。他还提及，当我和我的同事们在着手选择适合出版的材料时，可能已经在朝着这个方向努力了。我本人是个历史学家而非文学家。而且，当我听说自己的工作可能会影响英语世界的人们对中国文学的接受，以及文学正典的确立时, 我不禁有点惶恐。为了与我的专业领域更一致，我所做的最初努力之一就是提供一个专门针对汉学的综合文体指南。
《译丛》有两种形式：普通刊和特刊。普通刊没有特别的主题，主要依靠译者主动投稿，编辑们相对被动，但偶尔也会提交自己的译稿。
在收到的稿件中，明显不合适的可能很快会被否决；剩下的在编辑会上讨论之后交由同行专家评审。有时候，编辑部可能会要求译者修改译稿。
大部分译稿来自学术界那些对文学感兴趣的学者。他们并不都是有经验的翻译者，有些人并不是出于学术目的，而不过是即兴而为。
退稿的主要原因是英文水平太差。这种译稿的译者要么不是以英语为母语，要么就是毫无经验，也可能是太执着于中国句法。《译丛》的编辑也会对译文做一些文字上的修饰，特别是当某篇译稿在文学上或历史上特别有价值的时候。
我们的审稿人大多是以前的撰稿人，以及香港、美国以及英联邦国家的学者。
《译丛》特刊通常介绍一些容易被忽视的类型的作品，而且经常会邀请特约编辑。这些特约编辑一般都是和《译丛》编辑有交往的学术界人士。特约编辑会同《译丛》编辑共同商议后，再决定和选择译者和译稿。特约编辑通常邀请其同事和学生供稿，但也有一些被邀请者他们并不熟悉。
编辑过程是编辑人员的第二项主要任务，也是耗费时间最多的任务。最后，编辑部人员也负责安排印刷，以及出版和发行工作。《译丛》所有的工作都要求认真的态度，专业的知识，以及奉献的精神。