for my big translation project for the class, i'm thinking about working with 北京故事 (beijing comrades), the web novel that the film lan yu (2001) was based on. i'm really excited!! we have to turn in a short translation exercise today and i decided to translate 2 excerpts from the text, the first from the very beginning of the first chapter, and the second from han dong's initial meeting with lan yu. i'm posting my work here bc i just want to commemorate this moment..
Chapter One
Three
years have already gone by… back then, I dreamt of your return every night. Filled
with astonishment and ecstasy, I would ask you, “But aren’t you dead? Haven’t
you died?” Even now, I often still have those dreams, but the difference is
that I know to repeat to myself that it’s only a dream, over and over, until I
wake up.
Vancouver’s
weather is awfully pleasant. There are never windstorms like there are in Beijing,
nor does it ever get stuffy and humid. Instead, the air is refreshing, and
always accompanied by bright and beautiful sunshine. Every morning after
awakening, I ask myself in a daze, “Where am I?” I look outside the window at
the graceful maple trees swaying in the wind, then shift my gaze to the young
woman sleeping by my side – my new wife. I let out a small sigh, lie back down,
and continue to reminisce in my dreams…
Chapter Two
In
that instant, he lifted his eyes to look at me. I will never forget the
expression on his face, those bright eyes filled with melancholy, unease, and
suspicion. He was unsmiling and, contrary to what I was used to, revealed not even
the slightest indication that I had won him over. Lan Yu wasn’t very fair, but
he was fresh-faced, with exceptionally fine features, a straight nose, and lips
that were shut firmly together, betraying no expression. All of a sudden, my
heart began beating wildly, a rush that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
This is so cool omg please post the full translation when you're done! I didn't realise the original novel began at the end -- TBH I feel like if the film had done that maybe it would've been more effective (the tragic ending wouldn't've seemed too sudden / like they didn't know how to end the story so they killed Lan Yu off). I like the style because it's very simple but beautiful English and manages to keep the Chinese flavor (idk how... maybe just in terms of syntax?). Cant wait to read the rest!!!
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