And You Thought Chinese-to-English Literary Translation was "Underpaid"?

By Bruce Humes, published December 28, 2009, 12:52a.m.

"Living a decent life, just by translating literary works? I think it's impossible!" said [China-based] Yang Ziwu, the acclaimed translator who has recently published his revised edition of the eight-volume A History of Modern Criticism [by Rene Wellek].

Check out the full interview in English at the Global Times: http://life.globaltimes.cn/life/2009-12/494615.html

English-to-Chinese literary translation factoids that emerge during the interview:

"According to a regulation by the National Copyright Administration, the standard payment for translating English literary works [into Chinese] is 20 to 80 yuan [US$2.90-11.70] per thousand Chinese characters."

"Generally speaking, even the most sophisticated and renowned translators earn less than 70 yuan [US$10.25] per thousand characters, according to Zhang Jianping, director of the literary department at Shanghai Translation Publishing House."

"The average payment for translating business texts often ranges from 200 to 300 yuan (US$30-44) or higher per one thousand Chinese characters, according to Wang Jin, a greenhand who majored in English and American Literature, then rushed into the field after graduation last year."

Chinese Books, English Reviews