"Camus was one of the few writers of the 20th century who consciously pursued style, which can be called a noble style." This is what scholar and translator Guo Hong'an wrote in the book "The Interweaving of Sunshine and Shadow".
In fact, more than sixty years after his death, Albert Camus, the pivotal philosopher, novelist, playwright, and journalist of the 20th century, continues to influence generations of readers with his unique style of writing: inspiring their minds and inspiring their creations.
On September 22, the "Guo Hong'an Translation of Camus's Collected Writings" new book sharing meeting jointly sponsored by the French Embassy in China and Yilin Publishing House was held at the French Cultural Center in Beijing. Mr. Guo Hong'an, a famous scholar and translator, Mr. Yu Zhongxian, a translator and expert in French literary studies, and Mr. Ah Yi, a writer, came to the scene to have a warm exchange with the readers and discuss the works and ideas of this great writer.
The scene of the new book sharing meeting
A new edition of "Guo Hong'an's Translation of Camus's Collected Writings" was launched
Mr. Mikaël Hautchamp, Minister Counsellor for Cultural, Educational and Scientific Affairs of the French Embassy in Beijing and Director of the French Cultural Center in Beijing, attended the event and delivered a speech. Counselor Gao Ming pointed out that Yilin Publishing House has a long tradition of publishing Camus's works, allowing Chinese readers to get to know the French writer better. This event was held on the occasion of the publication of the new edition of "Camus's Collected Works" by Yilin Publishing House, precisely to pay tribute to this writer and artist.
Yao Yi, director of the Classic Literature Publishing Center of Yilin Publishing House, introduced the new edition of "Guo Hong'an's Translation of Camus's Collected Works". In 2011, Yilin Publishing House published a three-volume "Camus Anthology", "The Myth of the Outsider Sisyphus", "Depraved Exile and Kingdom", and "Anti-Positive Wedding Collection Summer Collection", carefully translated by the famous translator Mr. Guo Hong'an, which was warmly welcomed by readers as soon as it was published, and won the fourth Fu Lei Translation and Publication Award. In the same year, Yilin Publishing House also launched Guo Hong'an's critical work "The Interweaving of Sunshine and Shadow: Guo Hong'an Reading Camus". Ten years later, Yilin Publishing House made a new revision of these four works, and launched a new translation of Mr. Guo Hong'an's "Camus's Notes: 1935-1959" (a collection). The new edition of "Guo Hong'an's Translation of Camus's Collected Writings" consists of five volumes, and is accompanied by bookmarks, postcards, posters and other exquisite peripherals, which has become a feast for camus readers and literary lovers.
Guo Hong'an: Translating Camus's works, "Ya" is indispensable
Mr. Guo Hongan introduced his journey of reading, researching and translating works. After learning French, he approached Camus as a general reader and quickly embraced the connotations of Camus's ideas. Since the 1980s, he has continued to pay attention to Camus, and in addition to his research, he has gradually introduced Camus's works to Chinese readers. Since there was already a translation of The Plague, he did not translate the work, and the other important works were basically translated.
In the book "The Interweaving of Sunshine and Shadow", Mr. Guo Hong'an systematically introduced his understanding of Camus's works and his own translation ideas. He believes that Camus is one of the few writers in the 20th century who pursues style, camus's style is a noble style, and uses this as the basis for his own translation, advocating the principle of "moderation" in the translation process, neither "over" nor "falling short", focusing on accurately and faithfully conveying the essence of the original text. His translation was also praised by readers: "Only Guo Hong'an's Camus is the Camus I like."
But Guo Hongan admits that his main business is to do research, and translation has always been a "side job", which is completed in his spare time. Talking about his experience in translation over the years, he said: "In terms of translation, I am still more convinced of Mr. Yang Chen's point of view, she believes that translation should be translated sentence by sentence, so as to truly grasp the characteristics of the original language of the work. It is necessary to choose the appropriate words, the appropriate words, and if you find them, you will feel that the spirit of the original text has been properly translated. If you want to use a ready-made word to summarize, you can use the word 'Ya', I think translating Camus's works, 'Ya' is absolutely indispensable. ”
Great writers who influenced the growth of a generation
Mr. Yu Zhongxian shared his experience of reading Camus's works over the years, and the first ones he read were "The Outsider" and "The Plague". He believes that when he first read Camus's works, he may find the absurd ideas in them difficult to understand, but as the reading deepens and the experience grows, he will slowly appreciate this attitude. "In his novels, as well as in plays, essays, and critical essays, he still expresses a very delicate relationship between man and the world in which he exists, and this relationship reflects the choices that man must make in the face of absurdity."
Mr. Yu Zhongxian also used the example of a sentence modified by the character Ge Lang in "The Plague" to elaborate on the understanding of Camus's style: Camus expounded truth, freedom and dignity in the most authentic and direct way.
Writer Ah Yi read "The Outsider" and read Mr. Guo Hong'an's translation. He expressed his admiration for the translator with great affection and explained the profound influence of Camus's works on his own attitude towards life and literary creation. For example, when you read the beginning of the famous "The Outsider", you are deeply shocked by the sense of indifference and alienation that flows from it; reading Caligula and the Myth of Sisyphus will have similar feelings. He repeatedly dismantled The Outsider and wrote the novella "Down, What Should I Do", paying tribute to this great writer. The work has been translated into more than a dozen languages, including French, with far-reaching influence.
The three guests also talked about their favorite Works of Camus and read their favorite passages emotionally on the spot. In addition, Ms. Judith Oriol, The Commissioner of Books and Speculative Culture of the French Embassy in China, also contacted Camus's descendants in particular and obtained some particularly valuable video materials to relive camus's figure with the audience.