Taiwan Literature Museum invites global translators to interpret Taiwanese Hokkien poetry

The National Museum of Taiwan Literature, in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin's Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation and the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland, has launched a poetry translation competition titled "Translation Arena." The contest, open for submissions until September 1, invites translators worldwide to engage with and interpret Taiwanese poetry into English.

This year's theme centers on Taiwanese Hokkien poetry by emerging poet Wen Ruo-chiao. Three poems from her collection "Sun-Flashed Flowers" – "Farewell," "Silent No Words," and "Walking Among Flowers" – have been selected as the theme texts. These poems, all connected by the imagery of flowers, present a unique challenge for translators aiming to convey the nuances of sound,語感 (language sense), and emotional detail inherent in Taiwanese Hokkien.

Since its inception in 2021, the "Translation Arena" has served as a platform for international exchange between Taiwanese and Irish poetic traditions. Previous competitions have featured works in Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, indigenous languages, and Mandarin, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural tapestry of Taiwan. These works, originating from different ethnic memories and land experiences, aim to connect with readers from various cultural backgrounds through cross-lingual translation.

Wen Ruo-chiao, the featured poet, is also a writer, clinical psychologist, translator, and advocate for the Taiwanese Hokkien language. Her debut collection, "Sun-Flashed Flowers: Beautiful Taiwanese Hokkien Vocabulary & One Hundred Poems," has garnered significant attention for its rich vocabulary and delicate observations, bringing contemporary Taiwanese Hokkien literary creation to a wider audience.