WINNER AND JOINT RUNNERS-UP ANNOUNCED FOR THE VOICES OF TODAY LITERARY TRANSLATION PRIZE:
- Jenny Lu, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia takes First Prize
- Yaqi Xi, University of Warwick, UK joint runner-up
- Alexis Wu, University of Michigan, US joint runner-up
Beijing/London June 18th 2026: At the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair, the international bestselling author, BIBF Reading Ambassador, Liu Zhenyun announced the winners of the Voices of Today Translation Prize. Jenny Lu, a doctorate student from University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia took first prize with runners-up Yaqi Xi, PhD researcher and associate tutor from Warwick University, UK and Alexis Wu, literary translator, historical linguist from University of Michigan, US.
Launched this year to encourage and discover new voices in Chinese-English literary translation, The Voices of Today Literary Translation Prize attracted over 100 entries from 14 countries with the participants invited to translate a substantial excerpt from international bestselling, Liu Zhenyun’s, new novel – Salty Jokes*.
The Judging Panel comprised prize-winning sinologists and academics: Chair, Nicky Harman (Paper Republic); Esther Tyldesley (University of Edinburgh); Amanda Ruiqing Flynn (writer and poet).
Remarking on the winners the judges said the following:
Of the Winner, Jenny Lu Amanda Ruiqing Flynn said:
‘It is said that much work goes into making something appear effortless, and this is true of the winning entry. It was a real pleasure for the judges to read this translation – the translator displayed a deftness in rendering the tone and emotional logic of Liu Zhenyun’s writing, maintaining its understated elegance with confidence. The translation skillfully balances layers of comedy and contemplation in the story, knowing when each takes the lead through intuitive adjustments in tone, rhythm and syntax.This tension holds the reader, allowing the story to flourish in English whilst simultaneously remaining true to its original.’
Jenny Lu comments:
‘It means a great deal to me to be the first recipient of this prize. Literary translation tends to work in the background, which is partly its nature, so to see it celebrated like this is something I’ll carry with me. I’m especially glad the prize begins with Chinese fiction, and with a writer like Liu Zhenyun, whose work deserves a wide English readership. My thanks to the judges, to Singing Grass, and to Paper Republic for creating something that takes this work seriously.’
Of Runner-Up, Yaqi Xi Esther Tyldesley said:
‘All the judges agreed that this was a very strong contender indeed. We felt that it stood up very well to scrutiny when read side by side with the source text, but that it also read very well as a piece of English. We praised the flow and rhythms of the writing, which dealt equally well with classical poetry, casual dialogue and deep philosophical concepts. We also particularly appreciated the thoughtful word choices, especially in places where very Chinese concepts were transferred into accessible, idiomatic English. An excellent, polished, quietly sophisticated piece of work.’
Yaqi Xi comments:
‘I am very grateful to Singing Grass, Paper Republic, and the judges for this recognition, and for creating a prize that makes space for literary translators to be seen and for literary voices from China to travel further. I feel honoured to have spent time with Mr Liu Zhenyun’s new novel, Salty Jokes, through translation. I found myself moved by its humour and wisdom, and by the depth of feeling it draws out of ordinary life. I believe this story will find its way into many readers’ hearts in China and far beyond.’
Of Runner-Up, Alexis Wu Nicky Harman said:
‘The judges loved the voice of this translation: engaging, lively, slightly cheeky; perfectly in keeping with the original. The translator dealt successfully with the many linguistic challenges, including conveying culturally unfamiliar concepts, and the natural-sounding dialogue and confident tone of the translation made for a great read. We liked the subtle way the use of dialect was indicated, and enjoyed the imaginative word choices. Altogether, a very promising entry.’
Alexis Wu comments:
‘I am gladdened and honoured to be the runner-up of the inaugural Voices of Today Literary Translation Prize. I regret that I cannot personally attend the Beijing International Book Fair this year, but I do hope I may get to be back there someday soon. My gratitude to Singing Grass and Paper Republic for organising this contest and to the panel of judges for their recognition. Congratulations also to my two fellow prizewinners; may our passion for translation persist and continue to flourish’.
Commenting overall on the the high standard of entries, and on behalf of the judging panel Nicky Harman said, ’The judges would like to congratulate the organisers of the inaugural Voices of Today Translation Prize; we translators have waited a long time to see an international Chinese-to-English translation prize commensurate with the quality of translations coming out of the Sinophone world, and Voices of Today did not disappoint.’
During the presentation at BIBF, Liu Zhenyun celebrated the art of literary translation, acknowledging the different voices that can inform a text, through the presentation of the 7 different descriptive names attributed to the ‘liquor’ referred to in the text translated by the Voices of Today shortlisted participants: Daily Grain Liquor – Alex Woodend (USA), Ration Liquor – Alexis Wu (USA/UK), Daily Rations – Andrew Rule (US), Liquid Rations – Christopher MacDonald (UK), Ration Spirit – Jenny Lu (Australia), Daily Drop – Yaqi Xi (UK), Daily Booze – Yee Heng Yeh (Malaysia).
Created and administered by Singing Grass UK and China, the Voices of Today Literary Translation Prize aims to connect contemporary literary output from China with the rest of the world while showcasing the wealth of a new generation of literary translators from Chinese to English.
*Salty Jokes – Working title
*Ends*
