HCM CITY — A comic book adaption in Japanese of some of Viet Nam's most famous literature is expected to hit Japan's bookshelves late this month.
The comics are illustrated versions of classic titles like Chi Pheo by Nam Cao and Giong To (Thunderstorm) by Vu Trong Phung. The collection of comics called Danh Tac Viet Nam (Famous Vietnamese Literary Works) was being translated and published under a deal between Viet Nam-Japan Culture Exchange Centre and Phan Thi Publishing House.
Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper reported that countries like Japan, South Korea and China were producing less comics now than before as popularity was waning, so it could be a good opportunity for Vietnamese comics to fill the gap.
Danh Tac Viet Nam is the first Vietnamese picture book published in Japan and a turning point for Vietnamese literature abroad.
So far, many Vietnamese works have been translated and published in Japanese, including Chinh Phu Ngam Khuc (The Lament of a Warrior's Wife) by Doan Thi Diem, Luc Van Tien by Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Noi Buon Cua Chien Tranh (The Sorrow of War) by Bao Ninh, and the epic Truyen Kieu (Kieu Tale) by Nguyen Du.
In related news, two books by author-for-teens Nguyen Nhat Anh will be translated into Thai and Russian, Tre Publishing House said.
In mid-January, Anh signed a contract with Thai publisher Nanmeebooks Co, Ltd to allow them translate into Thai his teen novel, Cho Toi Xin Mot Ve Di Tuoi Tho (Give Me a Ticket Back to Childhood), which won the Viet Nam Writers Association award in 2009 and a Southeast Asian Writers Award.
Another of Anh's teen novels, Co Gai Den Tu Hom Qua (A Girl Comes from Yesterday), will be translated into Russian for possible inclusion in the Vietnamese Studies curriculum at Moscow State University in Russia.
Maxim Syunnerberg, the author of Russian-Vietnamese Dictionary and associate professor of Vietnamese studies at the Asia and Africa Institute of the university nominated the book for translation to help Russian students learn Vietnamese.
Montira Rato will be in charge of the translation for Cho Toi Xin Mot Ve Di Tuoi Tho into Thai, with the Thai version to be published in Thailand in August, to mark 35 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Thailand.
However, the publishing houses said it is very difficult to find qualified translators, a major barrier to releasing local writers' work overseas.
When Vietnamese books are translated into foreign language, it's necessary to seek foreign translators who know the Vietnamese language, literature and culture.
Experts said domestic publishing houses showed set up good relations with international publishers to get support to find translators, promote authors and protect copyright. — VNS