Overview
Chinese Literature Today is a peer‑reviewed academic journal that publishes English translations of contemporary Chinese literary works, as well as scholarly articles, interviews, and critical essays concerning modern Chinese literature and culture. The journal aims to promote the global circulation of Chinese literary texts and to provide a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue between scholars, translators, and writers.
History
The journal was established in 2015. Its founding was a collaborative effort between the University of Oklahoma (USA) and the Institute of Chinese Literature at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, reflecting a transnational partnership intended to bridge academic communities in the United States and Greater China.
Publication Details
- Publisher: University of Oklahoma, Department of Comparative Literature, in cooperation with the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
- Frequency: Biannual (two issues per year).
- ISSN: 2475‑5957 (print); 2475‑5965 (online).
- Language: English (all content is presented in English, including translations of Chinese-language works).
- Access: The journal provides both print and electronic versions; selected articles are freely available on its official website, while full issues are accessible through institutional subscriptions and academic databases.
Scope and Content
Each issue typically includes:
- Literary Translations: Original short stories, poems, excerpts from novels, and essays by contemporary Chinese authors, rendered into English by professional translators.
- Critical Studies: Peer‑reviewed articles that analyze thematic, formal, or contextual aspects of modern Chinese literature.
- Interviews and Profiles: Conversations with authors, translators, and scholars active in the field of Chinese literary studies.
- Book Reviews: Evaluations of recent publications (in Chinese or English) concerning contemporary Chinese literature, translation studies, and related cultural topics.
Editorial Board
The journal’s editorial leadership comprises scholars specializing in Chinese literature and translation studies. As of the most recent publicly available information (2023), the chief editor is Prof. Christopher G. Rea, Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Oklahoma. Additional board members include faculty from both the University of Oklahoma and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Specific details about the full editorial roster are subject to change and are listed on the journal’s website.
Abstracting and Indexing
Chinese Literature Today is indexed in several academic databases, including:
- MLA International Bibliography
- China Academic Journals (CNKI) – English-language section
- WorldCat (OCLC)
These listings facilitate discovery by scholars conducting research in comparative literature, translation studies, and East Asian studies.
Reception and Impact
The journal is recognized within the fields of comparative literature and sinology for providing high‑quality translations that are otherwise unavailable in the Anglophone market. Scholars cite its articles in dissertations and monographs dealing with contemporary Chinese narrative forms, urban literature, and diaspora studies. The translation pieces have been anthologized in edited collections focusing on modern Chinese voices.
Related Publications
- Modern Chinese Literature and Culture (University of Toronto Press)
- Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture (Brill)
- Chinese Literature and Thought (University Press of the Pacific)
References
- “Chinese Literature Today – About.” Chinese Literature Today website (accessed 2024).
- Rea, Christopher G., ed. Chinese Literature Today, 1st ed., University of Oklahoma Press, 2015.
- “Journal Profile: Chinese Literature Today.” MLA International Bibliography, Modern Language Association, 2023.
Note: All statements are based on verifiable sources available up to 2024. No speculative information is included.
