A Symphony of Island and Literature: 2026 Workshop for Translating Taiwan Literature: An International Workshop for Chinese-to-English Translators

November 9-14, 2026 (6 days total) – National Museum of Taiwan Literature, Tainan.

Apply by June 21, 2026 (Sunday), 11:59 p.m. (Taiwan Time, UTC+)

From 2021 to 2025, the National Museum of Taiwan Literature (NMTL) collaborated with the British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT) to deliver a series of Taiwan literature translation workshops with the view to nurture a new generation of literary translators. In 2026, the NMTL is partnering once again with BCLT to present  A Symphony of Island and Literature: 2026 Workshop for Translating Taiwan Literature. This intensive and immersive training program is tailored for translators of Taiwan literature into English, consisting of practical translation exercises, panel discussions, and visits to places of literary and cultural heritage.

The workshop will feature internationally acclaimed translator Jeremy Tiang and senior editor Dennis Zhou as mentors, joined by Taiwanese authors, and literary translators, agents, and publishers from Finland, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Through a rich program, the workshop aims to strengthen participants' skills in translating Taiwan literature, deepen their engagement with Taiwan’s literature, culture and languages, broaden their networks, explore professional development opportunities in literary translation, and foster cross-cultural dialogue.

Eligibility and Target Intake

A total of 20 participants will be admitted. Applicants aged 18 and over, from Taiwan and overseas, with a passion for translating Taiwan literature into English are welcome to apply, including emerging translators, working professionals, and undergraduate/graduate students from both domestic and international backgrounds.  Applicants are required to complete and submit translation samples based on texts provided by the organizer as reference materials.

Participation Fees

All expenses during the workshop will be fully covered by the organizer, including all course fees, lunch, insurance, 5 nights’ accommodation

Partial Transportation Subsidies Provided by the Organizer:

Currently Enrolled Students (Domestic and International):
Workshop participants with valid student status, upon submission of certificate of enrollment, are eligible for full reimbursement of train fares to and from Tainan on Taiwan Railway, up to the fare of a Tze-Chiang Limited Express ticket. Participants who wish to travel by Taiwan High-Speed Rail will need to cover the fare difference themselves.

Participants Residing Overseas:
Participants travelling from overseas are eligible for partial reimbursement of air travel cost as follows:

—Participants from Asian countries: up to NT$15,000 per person

—Participants from non-Asian countries: up to NT$30,000 per person

Dual Eligibility:
Participants who qualify under both categories above are eligible to receive both subsidies.

Course Outline

Key highlights of this year’s workshop program include:

—Creative concept shared by Taiwan writers, complemented by mentor-led, hands-on translation practice.

—Panel discussions on translating and publishing Taiwan literature, including translation practice, publishing market trends, and literary translator career development.

—Guided tours of Tainan city, literary and cultural walks, and visits to exhibitions at the NMTL.

—Visits to places of literary and cultural heritage in Tainan and neighboring cities, offering participants an opportunity to explore the diverse voices and cultural backgrounds of Taiwan literature.

Mentor Introduction

Jeremy Tiang

Jeremy Tiang has translated over 30 books from Chinese, including novels by Lo Yi-Chin, Huang Chong-Kai, Zhang Yueran, Shuang Xuetao and Yeng Pway Ngon. He also writes and translates plays, including the bilingual Salesman之死, which won the 2024 Obie Award for Outstanding New Play. His novel State of Emergency won the Singapore Literature Prize, and he is the co-editor with Dr. Kavita Bhanot of Violent Phenomena: 21 Essays on Translation. From 2021 to 2025, he served as a mentor for the Workshops for Translating Taiwan Literature, jointly organized by the National Museum of Taiwan Literature and the British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT). Originally from Singapore, he now lives in New York City.

Dennis Zhou

DENNIS ZHOU is a writer and editor based in New York City. He has edited fiction for The New Yorker and The Paris Review, where he currently serves as Senior Editor. Writers he has worked with include Han Kang, Hiromi Kawakami, Chigozie Obioma, Gwendoline Riley, Joan Silber, Shuang Xuetao, David Szalay, Yan Lianke, and Yu Hua. Dennis is the recipient of a 2025 Robert B. Silvers Work-in-Progress Grant and a 2021 Fulbright fellowship to Taiwan, and his own writing about books, film, and visual art has appeared in publications including The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, and The New York Times Magazine.

Application Process

Step 1

Download the application form

Complete the application in English, including translation samples.

Step 2

Fill in your personal information

Step 3

Upload the following as instructed, via this link: Apply for A Symphony of Island and Literature

• Application form: Filename "Application Form_Applicant Name" (please upload as a PDF)

• Translation works: Along with the required translation sample, applicants must submit relevant Chinese into English literary translation works (published or unpublished). Please upload these files using the format "Author_WorkTitle_Applicant Name"

• Proof of enrollment (for current students): Please upload a verification document with the filename "Proof_of_Enrollment_Applicant Name"

Apply by June 21, 2026 (Sunday), 11:59 p.m. (Taiwan Time, UTC+)

Application Guidelines

(I) All application documents must be submitted in English, except for Chinese names.

(II) Please use a valid email address, as all notifications will be sent via email.

(III) Selection results will be sent via email by August 31, 2026.

Important Notes

(I) Applicants are advised to ensure, prior to submitting their application, that they are eligible to independently obtain a visa for entry into Taiwan. If offered a place to the workshop, the organizer will issue an official letter of acceptance for visa application purposes.

(II) Selected participants are required to attend the entire workshop and participate in all course activities arranged by the organizer. Participants must submit feedback forms after the event.

(III) Domestic participants must pay a deposit of NT$3,000, which will be fully refunded upon full attendance. No refund will be issued for partial or incomplete participation. International participants are exempt from the deposit but must sign a letter of commitment. Unless approved by the organizer due to special circumstances, airfare subsidies will not be provided for incomplete participation. Transportation subsidies for eligible participants will be processed according to actual reimbursement standards.

(IV) This workshop is non-profit in nature. The organizer provides accommodation for participants (hotels or guesthouses, primarily in twin rooms shared by two participants. Room assignments will be made according to participants’ biological sex.).

(V) Application form must be completed by the applicant, ensuring no involvement in illegal activities or infringement of others' rights. The use of generative AI tools to assist in writing, translation, or reproduction of the content is strictly prohibited. In the case of  false information or violations, the organizer reserves the right to revoke the selection.

(VI) The organizer reserves the right to increase or adjust the number of selected participants depending on application status.

(VII) Photography and videography will be conducted during the workshop for future promotional use. Please notify in advance if you do not consent.

(VIII) For matters not covered in these guidelines, the organizer holds the right to interpret and amend the rules.  In the event of government announcements regarding work or school suspension due to weather or other force majeure, the workshop will be postponed, with new dates announced separately.

Contact Information

For any inquiries, please email the organizer, the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, at research.nmtl@gmail.com.