User:Renditions/Sandbox

File:Renditions Logo.gif
Type	Biannual Literary Journal journal
Format	Magazine
Owner(s)	Research Centre for Translation; The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Editor	Eva Hung
Founded	1933
Headquarters	Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong
ISSN	0377-3515
Website	www.renditions.org

Renditions 譯叢, published by the Research Centre for Translation (RCT) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, is the leading international journal of Chinese literature in English translation. First published in 1973, its issues cover over 2000 years of Chinese literature, from classical works of poetry, prose and fiction to their contemporary counterparts, as well as articles on art, Chinese studies and translation studies..

History[edit]

Renditions was launched in 1973, at a time when Hong Kong witnessed an emerging cultural consciousness that demanded recognition for the population’s Chinese roots. Hitherto English was the only official language in Hong Kong, and it was not until 1974 that the Chinese language was finally given an official status comparable to English. It is therefore understandable that many in Hong Kong felt the need to strengthen the position of Chinese language and culture. At the same time Chinese people outside of the People’s Republic of China were concerned about the destruction of Chinese culture resulting from the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Hence in multi-cultural Hong Kong, a haven from the frenzy of the Chinese mainland, there developed a keen sense of mission: to preserve and record China’s traditional and modern culture on the one hand, and to broaden its reach in the English-speaking world on the other. Renditions was created in this climate.

Miscellaneous and Special Issues[edit]

Renditions is published twice a year, in May and in November. From its inception, Renditions has always published a wide variety of works in modern and traditional literature by famous authors and introducing lesser known ones. A mixture of miscellaneous and special issues offers depth and variety, making Renditions a continuing literary anthology. Special issues include one on women's writing (Nos. 27 & 28, 1987), by writers from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong; the first anthology of Hong Kong literature in any language (Nos. 29 & 30, 1988), which shows that cultural life in Hong Kong is alive and well; Chinese Impressions of the West (Nos. 53 & 54, 2000), which presents the experience and observations of those who journeyed to the West in the 19th century, as well as the impressions and opinions of those who had never been outside China; and poems, plays, stories and paintings about Wang Zhaojun (Nos. 59 & 60, 2003), a Han court lady and celebrated beauty who married a Xiongnu Chieftan in 33 BC, revealing a broad spectrum of Chinese cultural attitudes and perceptions of women from the 3rd to the 20th century.

Editorial Team and Contributors[edit]

The RCT's expert staff closely supervise every stage in the selection, editorial and production processes, a unique feature of Renditions among publishers of translations of Chinese literature which makes it one of the most respected journals in its field. The world’s leading translators and sinologists are represented on its editorial and advisory boards and are among its regular contributors. Renditions materials are used in the classroom, reprinted in anthologies and selected for public readings and performances in English speaking countries.The journal also has a general readership which finds translations from the Chinese a source of pleasure and mental stimulation.

Other Publications[edit]

Included under the Renditions umbrella are other publications: a hard-cover and a paperback series. The hard-cover series was introduced in 1976, primarily for the library market in recognition of a core readership in the discipline of Chinese Studies in English-speaking countries. A paperback series was launched in 1986 to make high quality translations available to a wider market. This series, with an emphasis on contemporary writers, is often used as classroom material by teachers of Chinese and Asian survey courses in the West and also attracts a general readership. A special product introduced in 2002 is the Renditions Personal Digital Assistant series, sold directly on-line, featuring poetry selections and city stories especially chosen for readers interested in China or travelling to Asia. Out-of-print issues of Renditions journal and titles from the Renditions paperback series are available on CD-ROM.

Online Database[edit]

An online database indexing all translations published in Renditions and the paperback and hard-cover series appears on the Renditions website. Searchable by author, translator, keyword and genre, the database is a valuable research tool as well as a guide to readers, teachers and students on translations of Chinese literature into English.

References[edit]

‘"Renditions": 30 years of bringing Chinese literature to English readers’ by Audrey Heijns, in "Translation Review", no. 66 (2003).
"The Renditions Experience 1973-2003", edited by Eva Hung. (Hong Kong: Research Centre for Translation, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003).
‘The Research Centre for Translation: A Mirror of Translation Studies in Hong Kong’ by Eva Hung, in "Translation in Hong Kong: Past, Present and Future", edited by Chan Sin-wai. (Hong Kong: Chinese University Press, 2001).
‘Periodicals as Anthologies: A Study of Three English-Language Journals of Chinese Literature’ by Eva Hung, in "International Anthologies of Literature in Translation", edited by Harald Kittel. (Berlin: Erich Schmidt, 1995).
‘Editing a Chinese-English Translation Magazine’ George Kao, in "The Art and Profession of Translation", edited by T.C. Lai. (Hong Kong: Hong Kong Translation Society, 1975).
‘Between the Lines’ by Kevin Kwong, in South China Morning Post, 30 October 1993.
‘University Spearheads Literature’s Export Drive’ Vincent Mak, in Hong Kong Standard, 20 March 1998.

Category:Chinese Literature Category:Chinese Poetry Category:Journals Category:Chinese Literature in English Translation