Translators and publishers exchange words at annual forum

The 2015 Sino-Foreign Literature Translation and Publishing Workshop kicks off in Beijing on August 26. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

More than 50 people from 30 countries attended the 2015 Sino-Foreign Literature Translation and Publishing Workshop forum at Beijing's Asia Hotel on Wednesday.

Delegates shared their expertise and ideas for best practice for professionals in Chinese literature translation and promotion.

French sinologist Joël Bellassen suggested that when translating Chinese literature, it's best to translate from the original works rather than from the English versions, as the latter may not be able to capture the nuances of the Chinese literature.

South Korean writer Kim Tae-sung, and Russia's Alexandra Nikitina hoped there would be more opportunities for Chinese contemporary writers to join their own countries' literature events so that more quality Chinese works could be accessible to mainstream readers around the world.

"One of the best ways to learn about China is to read its contemporary literature and poems," said Argentina translator Miguel Ángel Petrecca at the forum. He said that he hopes more translators could join him in such a way of experiencing Chinese culture.