Li Zhengshuan, a professor of English literature at Hebei Normal University in China, has embarked on a project to translate the poems of Robert Burns into contemporary Chinese.

He has already tackled well-known Burns works such as My Luve is like a Red Red Rose and has now based himself for six months at the University of Stirling¡¯s new Centre for Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Studies.

During this period, he plans to complete translations of 100 Burns poems ¨C covering topics including love, patriotism, freedom and satire.

Professor Li said he learned many of Burns¡¯ poems by heart in his youth when, like the poet, he worked as a labourer.

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¡°Dozens of Burns¡¯ poems have been translated into Chinese, some by poets who used them as an inspiration to write their own poems,¡± he said. ¡°In some versions, Burns became a Chinese poet speaking the words only the ancient Chinese could understand.

¡°I thought Burns¡¯ English was modern so I tried my hand at translating a few of his poems. It¡¯s far from easy and the main problem is the understanding of the dialects.¡±

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Professor Li will give a traditional toast at a Burns¡¯ Supper being hosted in Stirling on 25 January, ahead of a conference on international translation.

Toasts will also be given by Russian researchers who say that Burns¡¯ work is very popular in their country. However, they have never attended a traditional supper before.

Kirstie Blair, chair of English studies at Stirling, said the interest in Burns from around the world ¡°never ceases to amaze¡±.

Professor Li added: ¡°Burns is not as well-known as Shakespeare in China, but he is popular where English literature is studied. Poetry is taught less and less in China now, but it will always be well-known in my university.¡±

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chris.havergal@tesglobal.com