中国科幻文学及其超可译 / CHINESE SCI-FI LITERATURE AND ITS HYPERTRANSLATABILITY

In recent years, Chinese science fiction literature has gained unprecedented visibility in Western countries, with translations available in multiple languages, particularly in English. Drawing on the concept of hypertranslatability proposed by sinologist Maghiel van Crevel, this study aims to identify the factors that contribute to the popularity of Chinese Sci-fi literature and its increasing frequency of translation. The emergence of this phenomenon can be traced back to 2015 when Liu Cixin, one of the renowned “three generals” of Chinese Sci-fi, received the prestigious Hugo Award. While there has been a traditional reluctance among scholars to read translations due to perceived inferiority, the growing interest of Western readers in this genre can be attributed to their curiosity about the unique characteristics of Chinese Sci-Fi compared to their own national literature. However, the notion of seeking the “Chineseness” in Sci-fi texts, which has been contested by many writers and critics, is not the sole explanation for the surge in translations in the Western world. Some critics even anticipate a similar future success as seen in Korean K-pop or Japanese manga. To comprehensively understand the current craze for Chinese Sci-fi literature, this study will analyze the translation process as a dynamic phenomenon that extends beyond the texts themselves, creating meaning through interwoven relationships within the field of translation. In addition to innovative themes and styles, the utilization of interesting selective algorithms for determining which texts to translate, the contributions of artist-translators such as Ken Liu, as well as the growing interest from international media in Chinese works, all play significant roles in facilitating the translation of Chinese Sci-fi stories. Furthermore, it is noteworthy to mention the relatively recent openness of Western countries towards other types of Sci-fi literature, including Chinese Sci-fi, in order to enrich and diversify the genre.