»  新聞發佈  2007-10-03 --Song of Orchid Island蘭嶼之歌--丁松清神父英文原版創作，30年後再次感動你

Song of  Orchid  Island蘭嶼之歌

三十年前，三毛翻譯的「蘭嶼之歌」，感動了讀者，不管是否到過蘭嶼這座美麗的小島；三十年後，丁松清神父英文原版的蘭嶼之歌，終於問世，再次感動你。

關於時隔三十年‧Song of  Orchid  Island蘭嶼之歌〝古物出土〞的一些理由

文 / 丁松青神父

 
        我生命中，在蘭嶼當孩子們老師的那一整年是非常特別的。即使後來離開蘭嶼，我整顆心仍盈滿了對於這個美麗島嶼以及當地朋友的思念。

       就算我到了輔仁大學研讀神學,還是有點失魂落魄,，滿腦子所想的都是蘭嶼。我在課堂中畫著圖，寫著我在當地的冒險以及點點滴滴的思念。只要回到房間，我就把剛才所寫的打字整理好。老師及同學都以為我非常勤奮好學，其實他們哪裡知道我是在寫一本書～一本深深鐫刻在我心海中的書，迫不急待的想傾洩而出。

        好不容易完成後，我把唯一的原稿寄給舊金山的出版商，沒想到出版社沒多久倒閉了，原稿回到我手裡已經是幾年後的事，我把原稿丟回抽屜，而且決定這輩子再也不要寫作了。

        大約過了十年後，三毛，又再一次在我生命中出現。我們在蘭嶼短暫的相遇，之後失去了聯絡。再次相遇，三毛將我的“蘭嶼之歌”翻譯成中文並出版。沒想到竟成為暢銷書，特別是得到台灣年輕人的喜愛。

       時間過得好快，“蘭嶼之歌”翻譯成中文到現在也有30年了，現在“蘭嶼之歌”終究出版了英文版，請容許我談談出版Song of  Orchid  Island的理由。

        第一個想法是，希望原本喜愛“蘭嶼之歌”中文版的朋友也能透過對Song of  Orchid  Island的閱讀，增進英文閱讀技巧與樂趣。

        此外，我也想對外國朋友有些許貢獻，藉著這本書，他們可以從“蘭嶼”這些令人驚豔的大自然風光與友善的人們身上學習到一些美好與動人的經驗。台灣很少有英文的旅遊書籍，更少有以英文紀錄台灣原住民部落人物的書。於是，這本遲來了三十年的書便顯得與眾不同了，我很希望能透過Song of  Orchid  Island將我衷心所愛的“蘭嶼”讓世界每個角落的人們閱讀到她的美麗。

        我深深相信：如果一個人有很強大的信念希望把某件事情做好，就一定會成真。就像我很希望能夠完成這本書，我花了將近30年的時間終於實現。

        我希望閱讀Song of  Orchid  Island 的朋友們，能夠透過我的眼睛與書寫，更深的了解與認識蘭嶼的一切，並深深摯愛。

Why I wrote Song of Orchid Island

by Barry Martinson

The year I spent teaching the children of Orchid Island was a special time in my life. When I left the island and continued my studies for the priesthood, my heart was full of the memories of that beautiful island and the people there who had become my friends. 

I was studying theology at Fu Jen University. But it was hard to concentrate on my studies, because I was always thinking of Orchid Island. During class, I drew pictures and wrote stories about my adventures of the previous year. When I returned to my room I typed them up. My teachers and classmates thought I was very studious. They didn’t know I was writing a book. The book was inside of me. It had to come out.

After the book was finished, I mailed my one and only copy off to some publishers in San Francisco, who later went bankrupt. It was years before I got my copy back. I tossed the manuscript into a drawer and decided writing was not for me.

Almost a decade later, the famous writer San Mao came into my life once again. We had met briefly, while I was on Orchid Island and she on one of her exotic journeys. Then we had lost contact. When we met again, San Mao translated Song of Orchid Island into Chinese and had it published.  The book quickly became a bestseller, especially among the youth of Taiwan.

Now, over thirty years since I wrote the English manuscript that was published in Chinese, Song of Orchid Island has finally come out in English. There were several reasons why I wanted to make an English version of this book.

First, because it can be a good study aid for Chinese readers wishing to improve their English reading skills. Together with the Chinese version, published by Huang Kuan, it can be a valuable teaching aid.

Second, because I wanted to make the book available to English readers. With this book, they can learn about Orchid Island, its awesome natural wonders and friendly people. Taiwan has so few travel books in English, and even fewer personal studies dealing with indigenous tribes. This book can make a difference. It can make Orchid Island more widely known throughout the world.

I believe when you have a strong desire to do something good, you should do it. I really wanted to do this book. It has taken 30 years for it to reach its present form. But the issues it raises are perhaps more timely now than ever before.

To understand and share with those of other cultures, beliefs and lifestyles has far-reaching consequences in an increasingly divided and intolerant world.  I hope that those who read Song of Orchid Island will see the island and its people as I have seen them. And may this knowledge increase their love.