Motivations and strategies for S. I. Hsiung’s self-translation of The Bridge of Heaven

This study delves into an in-depth analysis of the motivations and strategies employed by S. I. Hsiung in the process of translating his own work, The Bridge of Heaven. Contextualising Hsiung’s social trajectory within the realm of Sinophonic literature, this study draws upon Simona Anselmi’s classification of self-translator’s motivations to decipher the underlying reasons for Hsiung’s decision to undertake self-translation. The investigation commences by exploring the circumstances surrounding Hsiung’s departure from China and his subsequent return to the Sinophonic literary community. One of the central motivations behind Hsiung’s self-translation endeavours was his longing to reintegrate into the Chinese literary circle after facing marginalisation from the mainstream literary community. Furthermore, the paper sheds light on the financial challenges Hsiung encountered after his migration to Hong Kong, which played a pivotal role in propelling him towards self-translating his own works as a means to attain commercial success. Subsequently, this study conducts a meticulous examination, including a comparative analysis, of both The Bridge of Heaven and its Chinese counterpart, Tianqiao, bringing to the forefront Hsiung’s distinct self-translation strategies designed to achieve his multifaceted objectives. Notably, Hsiung adeptly employed foregrounding of irony and cultural editing to craft a domesticated version of his work. These strategies, coupled with his active participation in Hong Kong’s literary and social events, facilitated the realisation of Hsiung’s self-translation motivations. As a result, Tianqiao not only achieved commercial success but also garnered critical acclaim, thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of Hsiung’s self-translation endeavours. In essence, this study provides a comprehensive exploration of the motivations that propelled S. I. Hsiung to self-translate The Bridge of Heaven and the strategic measures he employed to accomplish his goals, shedding light on the intricate interplay between self-translation, literary aspirations, and the dynamics of the Sinophonic literary world.