Joined: 2005-06-03
Points: 748 | FOREIGNER PROMOTES CHENGDU
By Chengdu Weekly News
19th November 2006
Expatriate writer Warren Rodwell has been in China since 2002. Many feature stories,
reviews and photographs written or taken by him have been published online or in
hardcopy media form.Warren teaches university postgraduates in Chengdu.He also
administers various websites. For a long period, Warren has committed himself to
promoting Chengdu,gaining applause from both local people & official organizations.
Recently,Warren proofread a book "Chengdu Sichuan China",which promotes Chengdu among foreigners.This week,Chengdu Weekly had an interview with him about the book.
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Points: 748
Could you give a basic introduction to the new book? This English-language book can be regarded as a local friend to foreigners staying either for a long or short period in Sichuan.It takes the reader through topics such as geography, climate, ecological environment, people, culture & customs. The section on facts for the visitor is a valuable resource in itself. As too, are the recommended touring routes. It is possible to acquire with relative ease, some common age-old wisdom of Chengdu urbanites. Please note that there is no Chinese version available in any form whatsoever.
FULL INTERVIEW
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All the materials of the book were written by yourself or did you just collect them from various channels?
Why did you choose to introduce Chengdu while not other Chinese cities you have been to?
The original manuscript was researched and written in Chinese under the auspices of my good friend and associate,Zhang Hongfei ;a Chengdu-based management consultant with a vast wealth of experience and connections. Research was initially commissioned to determine the market need and economic feasibility of such a book. This study revealed that there were almost three thousand foreign residents registered in Chengdu. However, no extensive amount of cultural and everyday information was available in English to simplify or enhance their lifestyle transition into this unique society.
In order to complete the writing project, the initial draft had to be translated into English. This was done by a few different translators with a great reliance on computerized spell-checks and dictionaries. I had been in China since 2002, and the university at which I was teaching academic writing to postgraduates, was approached and asked to recommend a highly skilled English language native speaker, who could proofread and "de-Chinglify" the 150,000 words, with the basic aim of making it more fluent and appealing to the intended target market of westerners. My own published journalistic & other writing work was fairly well-known already, so the School of Foreign Languages suggested that I would be a very appropriate and conscientious person to cooperate with.
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Can the book be included in the series named Know all?
The name of the book is "Chengdu Sichuan China". The phrase " Chengdu Local Knowledge" is used on posters and postcards for promotional purposes. There is certainly sufficient scope for this book to be the first in a "Know All" series. At this stage, it is envisaged that updated editions will be released every year or so to keep abreast of any changes. Discussions concerning collaboration on other future joint projects have also begun between me and other authors of various nationalities.
My own style is inclined heavily towards cultural themes and influences, especially human interest features about expatriates living in Chengdu; the reasons why they are here; and how they have adapted to their new social environment and circumstances. There is no shortage of would be co-writers, and there is no hurry to embark upon any additional projects as both Zhang Hongfei and I are already incredibly busy with other collective and separate activities. Between us, is an established bond of strong mutual respect and trust, which is expected to endure for many years to come.
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Is your book a functional guide book for foreign visitors in Chengdu?
What kind of help can you to offer to your readers?
Vital and practical directions are given with respect to which local buses or other transport to catch, as well as how much the fares and accommodation will set you back. Legends and folk tales are recounted in a quaint and colourful way. This hopefully instills an affectionate and closer affinity with this time-honoured land and its various occupants.
Whether the reader's specific interest is in : martial arts, Chinese traditional medicine, religion, investment, cultural studies, tourism, education, work or entertainment, this publication is a reliable compendium of usefulness, which can be absorbed either ferociously or at leisure. You may care to carry it on exotic adventures, display it on a coffee table or bookshelf, exhibit it as an office showpiece, or otherwise present this limited edition as a gift to those you hold in high esteem.
About the book, our focus is more on local culture and knowledge for those people wishing to forge more permanent ties of a residential, business or intellectual aspect, rather than a superficial outside glimpse of a list of tourist attractions or events which can be expediently ticked off on a "must do or see" list.
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Your book has been published. Have people shown any interest in it?
Plenty of interest has been expressed at both local and international levels, in addition to business and professional associations, multinational companies, special interest/community groups, 5-star hotels,western bars, restaurants, bookstores and libraries that attract foreign clientele.
- Warren Rodwell -
Points: 0
I saw this book available for sale at the Bookworm in Chengdu. Looks pretty cool.
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CHENGDU BOOK RETAIL OUTLETS
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Chengdu Weekly News
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Chengdu Local Knowledge