Research on the Relationship between Literatures of Ethnic Groups in China - (Vol. 1 & 2)

Author: Lang Ying
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-09-01
Features: To promote the study of literary relations among China's ethnic groups, foster mutual understanding among ethnic peoples, and enhance national unity and ethnic solidarity, the National Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning Leading Group established a major project titled "A Study on the Literary Contributions and Interrelations of China's Ethnic Groups (Pre-Qin to Ming-Qing Period)" in 1997. The project was implemented by the Institute of Ethnic Literature of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, with Lang Ying and Narbagh as the chief researchers. This monograph, A Study on the Literary Relations of China's Ethnic Groups (Volume of Pre-Qin to Tang-Song and Volume of Yuan-Ming-Qing), is the final outcome of this project, published by Guizhou People's Publishing House in September 2005. A Study on the Literary Relations of China's Ethnic Groups is divided into two volumes. The upper volume, Pre-Qin to Tang-Song, is edited by Lang Ying; the lower volume, Yuan-Ming-Qing, is edited by Narbagh. Nearly 20 experts and scholars collectively worked on the project, commencing in 1998 and concluding in 2004. The completed manuscript spans over 1.3 million words. To date, A Study on the Literary Relations of China's Ethnic Groups is the most comprehensive research monograph in the study of literary relations among China's ethnic groups, encompassing the largest number of ethnic groups, the most writers and works, and the broadest theoretical exploration. With substantial data and theoretical depth, the work provides a multi-dimensional and multi-angle overall examination, preliminarily outlining the interconnected structure of "each within the other" in the literary landscape of China's ethnic groups. This is the primary feature of the work. Over the past 25 years since its establishment, the Institute of Ethnic Literature has undertaken multiple national and institutional projects, authoring and publishing a series of thematic research outcomes, including A History of Literary Relations among Southern Ethnic Groups (in three volumes), which has already been published. The institute also holds certain advantages in comparative studies of ethnic literatures. Therefore, nearly 20 authors contributed to this project, primarily consisting of researchers from our institute. Among the authors from our institute are Lang Ying, Narbagh (Mongolian), Tang Xiaoqing, Deng Minwen (Dong), Liu Yahu, and others. However, due to the limited time and resources of our researchers, to ensure the quality and authority of the project's outcomes, we invited experts and scholars from across the country to participate, taking on the writing of some thematic chapters. They are renowned experts in their respective fields, such as the mythological studies expert, Director of the Folk Literature Research Office at the Institute of Literature of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Ph.D. supervisor Lü Wei; the Liao-Jin literature expert, Zhou Huiquan at the Jilin Provincial Academy of Social Sciences; the Tang literature relations expert, Professor Tao Xinmin, Dean of the School of Literature at Anhui University; the frontier poet expert, Professor Wang Kuiyuan at Xinjiang University; the ci and qu studies expert, Professor Zhao Jingjing at Zhejiang University's School of Journalism and Communication; the Yuan Dynasty poetry and prose expert, Ph.D. supervisor Yang Jian at the Institute of Literature; the Manchu literature expert, Professor Zhang Juling at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Beijing National University; and the southern ethnic minority literature expert, Ph.D. supervisor Liang Tingwang (Zhuang) at the Central University for Nationalities. The authors of the 20th Century Volume are also well-known scholars in the field of contemporary and modern ethnic literature in China. In 2001, the manuscripts of both Pre-Qin to Tang-Song and Yuan-Ming-Qing were compiled, entering the peer review stage. Considering the balance of chapters, the uniformity of style, and the word count constraints, some revisions were made to the manuscripts during the peer review process by the expert group and chief editors, with some chapters undergoing significant modifications. We kindly request the understanding of all contributing authors. In 2002, the project outcomes were submitted to the National Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning Office for expert evaluation, which was officially approved for completion. Based on the feedback and suggestions from the experts, further revisions were made to the manuscripts. In 2003, we signed a publishing agreement with Guizhou People's Publishing House, and in the spring of 2004, the manuscripts of A Study on the Literary Relations of China's Ethnic Groups: Pre-Qin to Tang-Song and Yuan-Ming-Qing were handed over to Guizhou People's Publishing House. The outcomes of this project embody the wisdom and hard work of scholars from all ethnic groups in China, as well as the collaborative efforts of scholars nationwide. Particularly, the specially invited authors, who are renowned scholars with heavy teaching and research responsibilities, managed to contribute to the project amidst their busy schedules and deliver high-quality work on time, adding brilliance to the project's achievements. We sincerely express our gratitude to them. Tang Xiaoqing, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Ethnic Literature Research, meticulously reviewed the manuscripts, participated in the peer review and revision process, and made significant contributions to the project's completion and publication. We extend our thanks to her. We are particularly grateful to Guizhou People's Publishing House, to Yang Jianguo, and to all the editors at the publishing house. They devoted over half a year to reviewing the manuscripts word by word, and their diligent and responsible attitude deeply impressed us. We sincerely express our admiration and gratitude.