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

Author: Lang Ying, edited by Zala Ga
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, 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)" in 1997. The project was implemented by the Institute of Ethnic Literature of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, with Lang Ying and Zala Ga appointed 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 Zala Ga. Nearly 20 experts and scholars collectively worked on the project, commencing in 1998 and concluding in 2004. The completed manuscript comprises 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 "you within me and I within you" in the literary landscape of China's ethnic groups, and revealing its multi-layered framework. 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 research projects, authoring and publishing numerous specialized studies, including A History of Literary Relations among Southern Ethnic Groups (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 the research outcomes of this project, primarily composed of researchers from our institute. Among the authors from our institute are Lang Ying, Zala Ga (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 research outcomes, we invited experts and scholars from across the country to participate in the project, taking on the writing of some specialized 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 Dynasty literary relations expert, Professor Tao Xinmin at the School of Literature, Anhui University, the Western Frontier poet expert, Professor Wang Kuiyuan at Xinjiang University, the ci and qu studies expert, Professor Zhao Jingjing at the School of Journalism and Communication and Literature, Zhejiang University, 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, Beijing National University, and the Southern Ethnic Minority literature expert, Ph.D. supervisor Liang Tingwang (Zhuang) at the Central University for Nationalities, among others. 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 the chief editors, with some chapters undergoing significant modifications. We kindly request the understanding of all contributing authors. In 2002, the research outcomes were submitted to the National Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning Office, which organized expert evaluations and officially approved the project's completion. Based on the feedback and suggestions from the experts, we made further revisions to the manuscripts. In 2003, we signed a publishing agreement with Guizhou People's Publishing House, and after the Spring Festival in 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 are renowned scholars who bear heavy teaching and research responsibilities. Their ability to contribute to the project amidst their busy schedules and deliver high-quality work on time has added 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 manuscript revisions, and made significant contributions to the project's completion and the publication of the outcomes. We extend our heartfelt thanks to her. We are especially grateful to Guizhou People's Publishing House, to Yang Jianguo, and to the editorial team for their dedication. Over the course of more than six months, they meticulously reviewed the manuscripts word by word, demonstrating a serious and responsible attitude that we deeply admire and appreciate.