Taiwan and the UK sign literature translator deal

The National Museum of Taiwan Literature and the UK’s National Centre for Writing have signed a memorandum of understanding to train a new generation of English-language translators of Taiwanese literature.

Under the agreement, a “Literature from Taiwan” track is being added to the center’s Emerging Translator Mentorships, which recruits aspiring translators worldwide , and provides mentoring and professional exchanges.

Minister of Culture Li Yuan (李遠), who on Tuesday attended the signing in Norwich, England, expressed hope that the partnership would help build a long-term pipeline of translators capable of bringing more Taiwanese literature to British readers.

Minister of Culture Lee Yuan, center, National Centre for Writing chair Alan Waters, left , pose for a photograph after the center and the National Museum of Taiwan Literature signed a memorandum of understanding in Norwich, UK, on Tuesday.

Photo: CNA

The new partnership would provide another channel for introducing Taiwanese literature to the UK, and create more opportunities for cooperation between Taiwan and the UK, Li said.

National Centre for Writing chair Alan Waters said the center had begun promoting Taiwanese literature even before author Yang Shuang-zi’s (楊?子) Taiwan Travelogue gained international recognition when it won this year’s International Booker Prize.

The center’s 2026-to-2027 program had received 16 applications for the Taiwan literature track, which was a strong response for a program of this kind, Waters said.

The center plans to expand its collaboration with Taiwan next year through writer and translator residencies, as well as a Taiwan literature festival next spring, Waters added.