Comments on: Dispatches From Xinjiang: Adil, “Prince of the Sky,” Uyghur Diplomat

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 05:26:59 +0000

You’re welcome to write me at xumushi@yahoo.com

I can give you contacts at the magazine which you should be reading regularly, because they do intend to regularly publish non-Han authors, and particularly those in Xinjiang.

At any rate, I will continue looking forward to your weekly “column,” in between my elementary Turkish classes here in Istanbul!

By: Beige Wind

Beige Wind — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 23:30:32 +0000

Hi Bruce, It would be interesting to consider what social relations need to be in place, before those insulting nicknames can be used without causing offence. Sounds like a future project…

I’ve heard good things about your translation; it’s fantastic that people like you are working with these minor genres of Chinese literature. I haven’t been able to pick up that issue of Chutzpah, but I’ll be interested to see how Alat’s writing compares with the short stories of people like Memtimin Hoshur and Perhat Tursun.

By: Anthony Tao

Anthony Tao — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 17:38:06 +0000

My fault. Something indeed went cuckoo in the editing phase. It’s fixed.

By: Bruce Humes

Bruce Humes — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 13:17:57 +0000

“Nicknames are a common way for Uyghurs to address difference and perceived weaknesses in others. Although these nicknames usually have derogatory connotations, they are often voiced with affection.”

Interesting to see this confirmed! I translated a short story by Uyghur author Alat Asem (recently published in Chutzpah!, Issue 14), entitled “Sidik Golden MobOff”. Not only Sidik’s name itself — he often powers off his cell phone — but almost all the male characters have a nickname, most somewhat insulting . . .

By: Beige Wind

Beige Wind — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 02:19:44 +0000

Hey Seth, Big fan of your work!
Sorry about the mislabeling — something got scrambled while posting. The post has been fixed including an entire section (Part 3) on Adil’s new school in Yengisar.
Again apologies for the confusion.

By: Seth

Seth — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 01:37:07 +0000

Interesting article. Adil obviously knows how to work it.

I made the last video embedded, “Uyghur Dawaz”. It was shot at his tightrope walking school about an hour outside of Kashgar, not at a club called MIX in Urumqi. Does it look like a nightclub?