Translating Queer Desires

Ma explores the intricate and multifaceted terrain of Chinese-language queer literature and its English translation through the lens of queer translation studies.

Drawing on insights from queer translation studies and Ma's own experiences as a queer translator, this book examines how cultural, linguistic, and sexual norms are navigated, negotiated, and reimagined through the act of translation. Spanning works from early twentieth-century literature to contemporary fiction and speculative writing from mainland China and Taiwan, the book traces the complex interplay between translating and translated cultures. It sheds light on the sociocultural, aesthetic, and ethical dimensions of queer translation, offering a nuanced exploration of how translation can act as a site of queer intervention and creativity. Through detailed case studies and close textual analysis, it reconsiders themes of desire, language, and the act of translation itself, revealing how translation not only enriches queer expression but also provides critical insights into the historical evolution of Chinese-language queer literature and its global circulation.

An essential read for academics in the field of translation studies, queer theory, comparative literature, and Chinese studies. It is also a crucial entry point for translators and researchers interested in global circulation of queer texts, cross-cultural translation ethics, Sinophone studies, and emerging debates in world literature.