English-language creative writing in a Chinese context: translation as a supplement

Abstract

ABSTRACT One of creative writing’s contributions to knowledge is made through writers themselves reflecting on their creative practices, otherwise termed ‘practice-based research’. Based on this concept, this essay delves into creative writing research in a Chinese context. The majority of my ‘practice-based’ research, including several translation projects and a writing project that I undertook, took place during my Ph.D. study. English-language creative writing in the Chinese context is in many ways linked with the unique identity of the practitioners, who are bilinguals in both English and Chinese. In reference to unique features of creative writing in non-anglophone regions and the writers themselves, I consider several key issues here, including the position of translation in creative writing and the writer’s responsibility regarding the creation of literary works, which has been palpably distinguished from a similar kind delineated by Paul Dawson in anglophone contexts. I believe these issues can map out fundamental premises and questions of this particular research, which ultimately aims to expound the potential link between translation and creative writing.