学进去

   Well-known Chinese writer and translator Yang Jiang passed away at the age of 105 on May 25, 2016. But four years later, many people are still remembering her by posting Yang’s photos on the Internet.

Having studied in the UK and France, Yang was good at both English and French. And she started learning Spanish at the age of 48 in order to translate a great work—Don Quixote (《唐·吉诃德》). As a result, Yang finished the translation of Don Quixote over a period of 10 years. Published in 1979, it was regarded as the best translation of the classic in China. She thought about every word and sentence when she did translation. Yang only translated about 500 words at a time when most translators can translate as many as 2,000 words or so a day.

Yang is known for her writings as well as her translation achievement. She published Six Chapters of My Life in 1981 and Baptism (《洗澡》) in 1988. Baptism is about the lives of Chinese intellectuals(知识分子) in the 1950s. It was praised highly by both the readers and other writers. But Yang said, “Baptism was just an experiment to test myself and see if I am able to write novels.”

Though Yang herself considered her works as attempts(尝试), each of her attempts was a success. These attempts showed her calm and simple state of mind rather than the desire(渴望) for fame or wealth.

Without doubt, Yang will long be remembered for her great achievements. Her great works and the selfless spirit may be her greatest wealth left to us.