A bilingual version of Aboriginal Sydney.
Aboriginal Studies Press (ASP), the publishing arm of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), has announced that five of its titles are being translated and will be published in China.
Director of ASP, Rhonda Black, travelled to China recently to take part in the Australia-China Publishing Forum. There she met translators and publishers, visited bookstores, as well as wholesalers and distributors, and was business-matched with a range of Chinese publishers.
“The trip provided access to all the people in the Chinese market I needed to meet, as well as giving some salutary advice about doing business there. That’s obviously something I just couldn’t do from my desk,” said Ms Black.
“I met with some of the academics who’ll be translating our books and talked with faculty and students at two universities in Inner Mongolia. The connections between the lives of Aboriginal Australians and Mongolian people were evident to postgraduate students at the universities.
“Going to Inner Mongolia was very much a highlight, but there were also a lot of other good connections made too – like the Australian studies academics at universities in Beijing, and Times Publishers in Shanghai. There’s nothing like meeting people face to face; it makes a huge difference.
Australian writer, Jen Mills, and ASP Director, Rhonda Black (third and fourth from right), with faculty from the Australian Studies Centre, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, as part of the Australia-China Publishing Forum.
“We’re grateful to the Australian Embassy in Beijing as well as the Australia Council for providing funding to allow us to attend the Forum. It has opened up new opportunities for AIATSIS.
“And the business matching has continued back in Australia where we’re talking to Tourism Australia.
“I’m also hoping that a recent interview, 2015 Australian Writers Week in China: ready for Aboriginal literature, with Dong Xing on the Mandarin podcast on SBS Radio since my return might grow into a regular slot which could include reviews of our books or talks with Aboriginal authors.
The new titles join previously translated books, Aboriginal Sydney and Aboriginal Darwin, which have been created as bilingual editions. Once published these new titles enable readers in China to learn more about Aboriginal people and their culture. The books are an inspiring mix of Stolen Generation stories, individual and group activism, living off the land and sea, and the Australian national identity.
Media enquiries
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More information
Aboriginal Sydney
Aboriginal Darwin
2015 Australian Writers Week in China： ready for Aboriginal literature on SBS Radio