Many readers have expressed interest in current efforts to translate The Urantia Book into Chinese. This is probably the most difficult translation project thus far, for it involves many linguistic challenges that stem from the symbolic nature of written Chinese, while requiring Urantia Foundation to pay close attention to the laws, regulations, and cultural traditions of China. A team of four university professors has made very substantial progress since they began work in October 2001, but it will take them at least several more years to complete the task and polish the wording to their full satisfaction. Unfortunately there is no way to predict when the Chinese translation will be ready to be published, since experience with nine other translations of The Urantia Book has convinced Urantia Foundation that quality is crucial and must not be compromised.
Some readers have speculated about the best ways for the teachings of The Urantia Book to be disseminated in mainland China and in neighboring areas where a Chinese language is spoken (mainly Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong). The Trustees appreciate their interest, but will study the situation in these countries with great care and will make specific decisions about dissemination only in the final stages of work on the translation. They plan to conduct in-depth consultations with the translators and other readers of Chinese descent before deciding on specific methods and approaches.
For those readers who would like a brief explanation of the challenges that the Trustees will have to address, we recommend the dialogue “Serving the Middle Kingdom” by Trustee Emeritus Neal Waldrop. Neal has been interested in the future of the teachings in China ever since he began full-time study of Mandarin Chinese in September 1978. He wrote the dialogue in March 2006 in cooperation with Associate Trustee Sue Tennant, who has helped raise funds to support the work.
The Trustees have asked Neal and Sue to monitor questions and concerns associated with the future of the Chinese translation, in part by responding to inquiries from readers of The Urantia Book. Although the dialogue “Serving the Middle Kingdom” simply expresses their personal views, it is a thoughtful starting point for ongoing reflection and discussion. Please get in touch with Neal or Sue if you would like to receive “Serving the Middle Kingdom” by E-mail.
Neal Waldrop: nealwaldrop@mfire.com
Sue Tennant: sue.uf@sympatico.ca
[ April 22, 2006 ]