Taiwan Travelogue translator Lin King is calling out publishing’s “relay translation” practices.

Taiwanese author Lin King has accused a European publisher of copyright infringement for planning to release a translation of her Booker-Prize winning English version of Taiwan Travelogue. The original book, Táiwān Màn Yóu Lù, was written in Mandarin by Yáng Shuāng-Zǐ. King discovered that the European publisher intended to translate her English text into a third language without her permission, a practice known as “relay translation.” She has been issuing warnings to the publisher about the illegality of this new translation.

King's statement emphasizes the importance of translation as an art form, comparing it to filmmaking, music, and dance. She argues that translators are writers who must have their copyright respected, just like any other writer. King has taken legal action against the unnamed European publisher to set a precedent against copyright violations in the translation industry.

She stresses that translation is not merely a business plan, but a creative endeavor that requires the rights of translators to be acknowledged and protected. The publishers are urged to seek permission from translators instead of infringing on their rights.