Taipei: Geoffrey Chaucer, often hailed as the "Father of English Literature," is renowned for his medieval work "The Canterbury Tales," which played a pivotal role in promoting the use of Middle English in literary circles that were dominated by French at the time. In October, Francis So released the first complete Chinese translation of this classic by a Taiwanese translator.

According to Focus Taiwan, So shared in an interview with CNA that Chaucer's work, dating back to the late 14th century, depicted a pilgrimage of 30 Christians journeying from London to Canterbury to honor St. Thomas Becket. Each pilgrim narrates stories along the way, creating the narrative structure of the tales. While Chaucer initially envisioned 120 tales, only 24 have survived, primarily preserved in two manuscripts.

So's translation is primarily based on the more complete Ellesmere manuscript, with references to the Hengwrt manuscript, believed to showcase an earlier version of Chaucer's text. He emphasized "fidelity" in his translation, striving to maintain original syntax, word order, and imagery, even if this sometimes required reversing sentence order for fluency in Chinese. To assist contemporary Taiwanese readers in understanding the medieval context, So included detailed annotations, particularly concerning material culture and institutional structures.

Born in 1948, Francis So pursued his bachelor's degree at National Taiwan University and later completed his Ph.D. in comparative literature at the University of Washington in Seattle. Currently an emeritus professor at National Sun Yat-sen University, So has been teaching there since 1983. He credits his comparative literature training in the United States for his sensitivity to historical and cultural nuances.

Beyond just translating, So undertook fieldwork, visiting the British Museum and retracing portions of the pilgrimage route to ensure accurate cultural and geographical references. This hands-on approach, he explained, enriched his translation process.

In addition to his translation work, So has contributed significantly to Taiwan's academic landscape. He founded the Taiwan Association of Classical, Medieval and Renaissance Studies (TACMRS) in 2007, establishing a platform for scholars in the field. The annual TACMRS conference has become a significant event for domestic scholars and students interested in medieval studies.

So hopes that his translation will inspire more young researchers and lower the barrier for those interested in medieval Western literary studies. Observing the growing interest and participation in the field, So feels optimistic about the future of medieval studies in Taiwan.