Falling into It: My Experience of Translating Chinese Literature and Reflections on Literary Translation as Profession

Abstract

Reflecting upon the 'profession' of literary translation, this short essay traces the author's experience translating contemporary Chinese literature. It touches on issues of imposter syndrome, how, in the majority of cases, literary translation is not a 'true' profession inasmuch as it is not 'steady paying job', and on how Higher Education Institutions frown upon the work of literary translation as lacking bibliometric impact factor. The essay also touches on issues related to translation theory, translation studies more generally, and suggests an uneasy alliance between practice and theory.