Reading Bengali Literature in Chinese: A Brief History of Translation of Modern Bengali Literature in China

The realm of translating Bengali literature in China has predominantly concentrated on modern Bengali literary works produced after the 19th century. It was approximately 110 years ago when the translation of Bengali literature in China commenced, marking its inception with the translation of Tagore’s renowned work, Gitanjali, in 1915. Over more than a century, as the Chinese people’s comprehension of Bengali culture has deepened, the translation of Bengali literary works has steadily expanded. Initially focusing on Tagore, the scope of translation has expanded to encompass an array of literary figures from the era of modern literature, such as Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Sarath Chandra Chatterjee, Manik Banerjee, Nazrul Islam, among others. The translated genres span a wide range, such as poetry, novels, short stories, essays, and so on. Between 2019 and 2022, Chinese Bengali scholars have undertaken a systematic and comprehensive compilation of the prominent Bangladeshi literary awards bestowed from 2000 to 2020, such as the Bangla Academy Literary Award and the Ekushey Padak. In addition to translation endeavors, Chinese scholars have actively engaged in studying modern Bengali literature, with notable research focusing on luminaries like Tagore and Islam, serving as representative examples. Furthermore, they have embarked on comparative studies of Tagore’s works in diverse languages, including Chinese, English, and Bengali. The translation of Bengali literature in China assumes a pivotal role in fostering cultural exchange between China and Bangladesh. It holds immense significance in strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations.