Comments on: The Americanization of Ha Jin http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/the-americanization-of-ha-jin/ The MBA Graduate Program at Cal Poly Tue, 22 May 2012 00:09:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Andrew Steen http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/the-americanization-of-ha-jin/#comment-3535 Andrew Steen Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:57:47 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/the-americanization-of-ha-jin/#comment-3535 Generally I don't enjoy reading, and few writers capture my attention for more than a few pages, but I began War Trash a few days ago, and read 78 pages before it even left my fingers. Ha Jin is a great writer because of his tremendous amount of character, which seeps out in his vivid Korean war descriptions. It's nice reading novels written by credible authors. Generally I don’t enjoy reading, and few writers capture my attention for more than a few pages, but I began War Trash a few days ago, and read 78 pages before it even left my fingers. Ha Jin is a great writer because of his tremendous amount of character, which seeps out in his vivid Korean war descriptions. It’s nice reading novels written by credible authors.

]]> By: Chris White http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/the-americanization-of-ha-jin/#comment-3513 Chris White Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:14:10 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/the-americanization-of-ha-jin/#comment-3513 Jin's work really is incredible when you realize that he is writing in his second language. Although his English writing isn't overly complicated, he does an amazing job expressing his characters emotions and developing the story. Pretty good for someone who was “never terribly interested in learning English.” Jin's knowledge of China is evident in his work. It is unfortunate and ironic, however, that such a talented author is unable to receive the recognition he deserves from his home country. Waiting: A Novel was awarded the National Book Award in 1999. Despite this acclaim, Waiting is censored in the very country in which it takes place. Chinese officials have accused the book of promoting old stereotypes of the Chinese people and “uglifying” China on the behalf of the United States. Chinese authorities were upset over the book’s depiction of the characters’ longing to be freed of political restrictions. The Newsweek article about his life is remarkable. He really beat the odds to become a successful writer, although none of that success has been in his home country. Jin’s work really is incredible when you realize that he is writing in his second language. Although his English writing isn’t overly complicated, he does an amazing job expressing his characters emotions and developing the story. Pretty good for someone who was “never terribly interested in learning English.” Jin’s knowledge of China is evident in his work. It is unfortunate and ironic, however, that such a talented author is unable to receive the recognition he deserves from his home country. Waiting: A Novel was awarded the National Book Award in 1999. Despite this acclaim, Waiting is censored in the very country in which it takes place. Chinese officials have accused the book of promoting old stereotypes of the Chinese people and “uglifying” China on the behalf of the United States. Chinese authorities were upset over the book’s depiction of the characters’ longing to be freed of political restrictions. The Newsweek article about his life is remarkable. He really beat the odds to become a successful writer, although none of that success has been in his home country.

]]> By: Gary Chou http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/the-americanization-of-ha-jin/#comment-3505 Gary Chou Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:40:58 +0000 http://calpolymbatrip.com/2008/china/the-americanization-of-ha-jin/#comment-3505 I am proud of him! Wow, a Chinese born in the midst of Cultural Revolution, from the Northeast nonetheless, and not even from Beijing U, could be nominated for Pulitzer Prize! I think Chinese literature/language is full of its delicate flavors and complexities and subtle references to ancient poetry/history. They are beautiful and moving, yet unaccessible to non-Chinese speakers as all is lost in translation. It is really frustrating to watch Chinese movie and read the horrible English translation; read English-translated works originally written in Chinese (e.g. Dream of Red Chamber), etc. I just want to burn them! I think American audience, judging those translated junk, would think Chinese language is void of any substance. Anyway, I once read the biography of another famous Chinese writer who wrote in English, his name is Lin Yutang. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lin_Yutang Lin dedicated his life work into bridging East and West through writing beautiful novels about China and Chinese cultures in English and acquired international fame. He was nominated for Nobel Prize in Literature numerous times! I am proud of him! Wow, a Chinese born in the midst of Cultural Revolution, from the Northeast nonetheless, and not even from Beijing U, could be nominated for Pulitzer Prize!

I think Chinese literature/language is full of its delicate flavors and complexities and subtle references to ancient poetry/history. They are beautiful and moving, yet unaccessible to non-Chinese speakers as all is lost in translation.

It is really frustrating to watch Chinese movie and read the horrible English translation; read English-translated works originally written in Chinese (e.g. Dream of Red Chamber), etc. I just want to burn them! I think American audience, judging those translated junk, would think Chinese language is void of any substance.

Anyway, I once read the biography of another famous Chinese writer who wrote in English, his name is Lin Yutang.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lin_Yutang

Lin dedicated his life work into bridging East and West through writing beautiful novels about China and Chinese cultures in English and acquired international fame. He was nominated for Nobel Prize in Literature numerous times!

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