Two books originally written in Chinese have been shortlisted for the 2026 U.S. National Translation Awards, which highlight outstanding achievements in literary translation. The shortlist, revealed on Tuesday by the American Literary Translators Association, includes Shuang Xuetao's short story collection “Hunter,” translated by Jeremy Tiang, and “Mending Bodies” by Hon Lai Chu, translated by Jacqueline Leung. These works are part of a total of 11 entries across various genres translated from nine languages.
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Previously, Ye Hui’s poetry anthology “The Ruins,” translated by Li Dong, was longlisted among 23 works on September 3 but did not secure a spot on the shortlist. Ye is recognized for his minimalistic poetry that reflects on themes of time, memory, and existence.
The National Translation Awards were established in 1998 and are considered among the most prestigious in the field. Winners in both poetry and prose categories will receive a prize of $4,000. Past finalists have included notable Chinese authors like Xu Zechen and Yan Lianke, as well as Qing dynasty writer Li Yu.
Shuang Xuetao, author of “Hunter,” is regarded as a prominent voice in the “Dongbei Renaissance,” a cultural revival from northeastern China. Born in Shenyang in 1983, his narratives often depict the everyday lives of ordinary people using local dialects. “Hunter” consists of 11 standalone stories, including themes ranging from ambulance drivers to a legendary knife fighter. The judges praised his work for its gritty realism and dark humor, highlighting Tiang's skill in translating Shuang’s inventive descriptions into engaging English prose.
“Mending Bodies,” the second shortlisted work, is speculative fiction that follows a young woman navigating life post-surgery, binding her body to a partner in a future where this is encouraged. Hon Lai Chu, known for her surreal and introspective narratives, examines the intricacies of human relationships and physicality. Leung, her translator, was commended for adeptly capturing the subtle nuances of the original text.
Shao Dong, an assistant professor of creative writing at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, noted that the nomination of these works enhances the global presence of Sinophone literature, offering a nuanced perspective on Chinese narratives in both fiction and poetry. The award winners will be announced on October 23 during the American Literary Translators Association’s annual conference.