Literary Translation, Literary Research and Intercultural Exchange: Xu Jun and the Poetic Adventures of Le Clézio in China

In 1983, the renowned contemporary French writer and 2008 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, Le Clézio, began his “poetic adventure” in China with the Chinese translation of his work Desert. Xu Jun, one of Le Clézio’s earliest translators in China, has played a pivotal role in introducing and studying Le Clézio’s works, creating a classic case of literary translation and reception. This dynamic process, characterized by the original author’s “call” and the translator’s “response, ” facilitated through equal exchanges grounded in mutual trust and respect, exemplifies the essence of cross-cultural communication in translation. This collaborative endeavor has not only led to a deeper mutual understanding of each other’s cultures but also contributed to the maturation of the translator’s perspective on translation and the author’s ongoing exploration of new literary possibilities. Le Clézio’s poetic adventure in China illuminates the potential of world literature as envisioned by the author.