Liu Minxia

mllmx@163.com

TRANSLATION is often seen as a thankless task, especially when tackling works with multiple existing versions by esteemed translators.

Zhong Shufeng, a former middle school teacher in Jiangxi Province and prosecutor with 20 years of experience in Shenzhen’s Bao’an District, has translated numerous legal documents and books on politics and philosophy in his spare time. He recently decided to translate “Stray Birds,” a collection of short poems and aphorisms by Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, which already had 44 Chinese translations by the end of 2023.

Zhong’s translation caused a stir when it was digitally published on WeChat Read, Tencent’s e-book app, in April this year. It attracted over 30,000 readers in just 10 days, expanding his reputation as an esteemed translator beyond the legal community.

A leap to poetry

Zhong primarily gained recognition for his translations of legal literature, such as “The Spirit of the Laws” by French political philosopher Montesquieu and “The Social Contract” by French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He also translated Tagore’s non-legal works, such as “Sadhana: The Realisation of Life.”

However, his translation of “Stray Birds” presented a significant challenge due to its status as a beloved foreign literary work in China.

This collection, a favorite among Chinese readers as well as translators and critics, was fully translated for the first time in 1922 by Zheng Zhenduo, a distinguished 20th century translator and writer. Despite facing criticism for its lack of depth, Zheng’s translation has long been widely embraced in China.

Contemporary writer Feng Tang published his interpretation in 2015, but retracted it shortly after due to intense criticism for its perceived vulgarity.

“Tagore’s works, particularly his poetry, have significantly influenced Chinese literature — notably the development of modern poetry and prose in the 20th century,” Zhong said.

“While Zheng’s translation of ‘Stray Birds’ is considered a classic, it is not devoid of imperfections. During the 1920s, modern writer and translator Liang Shiqiu and other literary critics pointed out numerous mistranslations and omissions in Zheng’s rendition.”

Zhong began studying and comparing existing Chinese versions of the poetry collection as a hobby after completing his Ph.D. in law in 2007. He identified at least 70 poems in Zheng’s translation with evident issues, sparking a two-year journey to craft his translation. He gradually released his work online starting in 2010, which left readers eagerly anticipating a complete version.

“Readers reached out to me after reading my interpretation, inquiring about the release of a full version — a scenario akin to when I attempted to translate ‘The Old Regime and the Revolution’ by French historian Alexis de Tocqueville in 2012,” Zhong said.

At that time, Tocqueville’s profound reflections on the French Revolution had gained popularity in China after Wang Qishan, then secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC), suggested that all Party members read it. The preferred version was released in 1992 by The Commercial Press, one of China’s most esteemed publishing houses.

After Zhong posted excerpts of his version on the internet, several publishers expressed interest in acquiring the rights to release the full translated version, recognizing his interpretation as exceptional.

When reflecting on his transition from teaching to legal practice and translation, Zhong acknowledges his predecessors for establishing the foundation.

“I stand on the shoulders of giants,” he said, also expressing gratitude for the insights he gained from both professional and amateur critics, irrespective of criticism or praise.

Recognized for his legal expertise and poetic sensibility, he stresses the harmony between reason and emotion in his work, underscoring the idea that legal minds can possess poetic spirits.

From passion

to recognition

Zhong, who was initially an English teacher in Jiangxi Province, made a career shift to become a prosecutor in Shenzhen after completing a master’s degree in law in 1995.

He made a foray into translation in the early 2000s as a means to improve his English proficiency, choosing to translate “Real Property in a Nutshell” by Roger Bernhardt and Ann M. Burkhart. To his surprise, China’s Law Press published his version in 2005, which served as a major motivation for him to pursue further translation projects.

Translating in the early mornings and late into the night, Zhong said he finds solace in his work and becomes oblivious to distractions. “I can dedicate hours to my work without glancing at my phone,” he said. “To me, it’s a form of enjoyment rather than a chore, as some might perceive it.”

As a prosecutor, he earned an impressive list of accolades and managed numerous criminal cases, including high-profile ones. Significantly, he has been acknowledged as a member of a national talent pool. Zhong also served as a law professor at Shenzhen University once.

Shenzhen’s vibrant creative landscape has nurtured multi-talented professionals like Zhong. He foresees a future in which people can engage in multiple careers at the same time, using technology to explore new horizons. “With passion and dedication, anyone can excel,” he said.