Because of the self-reported article "Hangzhou man called from the funeral home: Can you write about our genius son", Jin Xiaoyu, the son of the author Jin Xingyong and a literary translator, became a hot search figure on the Internet a few months ago.
Due to a serious eye injury in his youth and later suffering from mental illness, Jin Xiaoyu failed to complete his university studies, but he has translated more than 20 works in English, Japanese and German through self-learning of foreign languages, becoming a well-received in the industry. literary translator.
His story of struggling with fate has touched countless people.
Literary translation is a job that requires sufficient humanistic accomplishment, literary sharpness and creativity.
What kind of reading world does the acclaimed "genius translator" Jin Xiaoyu have?
What books does he like to read?
How is he doing?
On the eve of "4.23" World Book Day, the cover reporter called Jin Xiaoyu's father Jin Xingyong.
It was Jin Xiaoyu who answered the phone. He said that Dad just went out and is not here at the moment.
The reporter relayed to him the article "After the "Genius Translator" Jin Xiaoyu became popular overnight, the most worrying thing about Jin's father was solved" was published in the cover news and West China Metropolis Daily, and it was well received by readers across the country. feedback, and many people are gratified that hot news can push things in the right direction.
He said "thank you", said "I know the West China Metropolis Daily", and was willing to chat with reporters for a while to share some recent developments on translation, reading and life.
When I was a boy, I loved to read "Grimm's Fairy Tales"
Read through the original before translating a book
After receiving much attention, Jin Xiaoyu has more work.
When asked if he had read a good book that he was willing to share recently, Jin Xiaoyu said that the focus of his daily life is to read the original text and translate it, and he has no spare time to read "loose books" that have nothing to do with translation.
But he mentioned the books he read in his youth that impressed him, "My mother bought Grimm's Fairy Tales and Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, and I still remember them clearly now."
Jin Xingyong also revealed that Jin Xiaoyu likes to read books since he was a child, and he has a wide range of reading hobbies, reading all kinds of books, and reading all kinds of books.
Including Mencius, Zhuangzi, Laozi, the Four Books and the Five Classics, he bought and read them all by himself.
"We always support him when he buys books, and he buys whatever he likes. Xiaoyu often goes to the library to borrow books, borrowing four or five books at a time. For example, when he starts translating a book, he will check it out. Does it already have a Chinese translation? If so, he will borrow it and read it carefully. Xiaoyu's translation of "The Collection of Letters of Benjamin" is very large, with more than 1,000 pages, and the translation of this book is almost equivalent to Usually three or four books. He is very serious. Before translating, he will read the original work written in German first, and then go to the English version translated by others, so as to compare it again and again. He thinks that Benjamin has written well. Very good, the English translations are not all accurate."
Some publishers take the initiative to invite to write books
Expert willing to operate on his eye
Literary translation actually requires a lot of literary skills, and to a certain extent, it is also a kind of literary creation.
Many people can see from Jin Xiaoyu's translation that his writing skills are profound and his aesthetics are very good.
On January 17, 2022, after the "Genius Translator" Jin Xiaoyu became popular overnight, Father Jin's most worrying matter was resolved. After the cover news was released, a relevant person in charge of the publishing house commissioned a cover news reporter to convey to Jin Xingyong, willing to invite Jin Xiaoyu writes his own works and publishes books for him, and the manuscript fee is much higher than the translation manuscript fee.
But Jin Xingyong said, "He is not very willing to write yet. Before that, a newspaper editor came to ask for a manuscript, asking him to talk about translation, and he did not agree to give him a time for the manuscript to be delivered."
why?
"He probably thinks that his writing and translation are two different things. He is afraid of opening the door to writing, and what he writes will be poor. Sometimes, some things I write, he doesn't like. I'm going to wait for him to get his hands on it. After the task that needs to be translated is completed, persuade him again, and you can also write your own things while translating." Jin Xingyong said.
Jin Xiaoyu's eye disease, which was seriously injured in his youth, may also usher in some turning points.
"When I saw a doctor recently, the doctor said that I have the conditions for surgery to inject an intraocular lens, which may restore a small part of the vision in the left eye." Jin Xingyong said that there is a senior medical expert who is well-known in the country and is willing to perform surgery on Xiaoyu in person. , this is a rare opportunity.
"But Xiaoyu still has some concerns in his mind: he is worried that after the surgery on that eye, the two eyes will not work well together and cannot focus on one point. He is afraid that he may not be able to adapt. Now, our local community leaders are very concerned about In this matter, join me in persuading Xiaoyu to undergo surgery. After all, even a little vision improvement is good for Xiaoyu. Now when he is translating, when he encounters some books with small characters, it seems more difficult. ."
The special wish of an 87-year-old father
I hope Xiaoyu has a partner in the rest of his life
Jin Xingyong said that it is Xiaoyu's business to buy vegetables every day. When he cooks by himself, Xiaoyu will hurry up and translate.
Jin Xingyong also mentioned one of his wishes in particular, "I hope he can have a partner who supports each other in the second half of his life. His mother has passed away, and I am 87 years old this year. I will try to live as many years as possible, and I can see that he can start a family. , I'm relieved. And now the family's economic conditions are better than before. On the one hand, Xiaoyu's translation fee has increased, and on the other hand, after his mother died of illness, there is still some money left. I will keep it for him on."
Regarding finding a life partner, Jin Xingyong said, "Xiaoyu didn't reject my idea, he said it depends on fate."
Jin Xingyong said that his son's job is to translate books at home, and his circle of friends is relatively narrow, and there are very few people in daily life.
According to Hangzhou media reports, on April 8, in the party-mass activity room of Shuangdanglong Community, Hushu Street, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, students from Zhejiang University City College taught the volunteers of the "Shu Xiaohong" in the area to share information about the Asian Games and the Asian Paralympic Games. Relevant English, Japanese and sign language.
In the teaching team, there is a translator who is proficient in multiple languages - Jin Xiaoyu.
This is the first time he has shared his foreign language learning experience in front of everyone since he put on the red vest and became a volunteer for the Asian Games.
Jin Xingyong was very happy that his son became a volunteer for the Asian Games. "In addition to doing something for the Asian Games, he can also have more contact with the outside world."
dialogue
Take advantage of translation skills
Volunteer for Hangzhou Asian Games
"Every morning, when there is sunshine and birds chirping, I get up and start translating after shopping."
Although Jin Xiaoyu's voice on the phone was low and his speaking speed was slow, his thinking was logical and his attitude was gentle.
Especially when it comes to translation and reading, show a humble and serious character.
Jin Xiaoyu's father Jin Xingyong also talked in detail about Xiaoyu's recent situation.
He mentioned, "Xiaoyu is not good at words, especially when there are strangers at the scene, he is very shy. On the phone, he is not so shy when he doesn't meet in person."
Cover news: I heard that you became a volunteer for the Hangzhou Asian Games?
What are you currently working on?
Jin Xiaoyu: Yes.
Mainly I want to do some translations as I can, and promote the Asian Games, canal culture and other related things.
COVER NEWS: What are you translating right now?
Jin Xiaoyu: I am translating a Japanese work, a detective novel for young readers.
Cover News: Since the beginning of this year, people have paid more attention to you, have you been looking for more translation jobs?
Jin Xiaoyu: Yes.
But the point is, there is more that can't be translated.
Cover news: Can you say that this option has become larger?
Are there any books you refuse to translate?
Jin Xiaoyu: Basically, I never refused. I will read it carefully first when I get it.
Because you don't read it, you don't know what it's about.
After reading it carefully, it would be a pity not to translate it.
The foreign language works brought by the publishing house are all screened, and the level is not too bad.
Cover News: Generally speaking, what is your daily work and living arrangement?
Jin Xiaoyu: Every morning, when there is sunshine and birds chirping, I get up.
Then go shopping and start translating when you come back.
Take a break at noon and continue to translate in the afternoon.
When I don’t work at night, I will listen to the broadcasts of the Central People’s Broadcasting Station, learn about some hot news, and go to bed after 8 pm.
Cover news: Literary translation is actually a kind of intensive reading.
Besides translated books, what kind of books do you like to read?
Jin Xiaoyu: Now, because there are many books that need to be translated, and my eyesight is not good, I can’t overuse my eyes, so I basically don’t read other books (except the translated books), and just listen to the radio.
I used to love reading books.
COVER NEWS: Would you like to share a particularly impressive book you've read before?
Jin Xiaoyu: When I was very young, my mother bought me Grimm's Fairy Tales and Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales. I have a very deep memory, and I still remember them clearly.
In addition, learning foreign languages and reading novels are more.
Cover news: Your translation is generally recognized as being exceptionally good, original, relevant, accurate, gentle and clean.
Do you know these reader feedbacks?
Will you go online to see it?
Jin Xiaoyu: Usually, after translating a book and publishing it, I will go to Douban to read it.
I usually don't have time to look at it when I'm translating.
There are good reviews, but one has a low rating on Douban, not sure why.
Cover news: Are there any works in foreign languages that you particularly like, but haven’t translated yet?
Jin Xiaoyu: If it is in English, such as the annual selection of British and American short stories, I would like to read it, but I have not translated this one.
Cover News: Is it fun to translate every day?
Jin Xiaoyu: Yes.
Translation works are the crystallization of spiritual labor, and translation is very suitable for me. If I work in society, it will not be suitable for me.
Translation has given me a way out in life.
Cover reporter Zhang Jie and intern Jiang Ruiyao