Shi, the book's translator and an associate professor at Nanjing University's French language department, says that Cesaire's particular style was the result of cross-cultural experiences that integrated aspects of French Surrealism, African literary traditions and Caribbean folk culture.

He coined new words in French by transforming the way a word was used or by combining two words to create a new one. In her translation, Shi worked in a similar fashion.

"I didn't reproduce Cesaire's book literally but used my translation to highlight his creative process. I hope that for Chinese readers it will offer an imaginative reading experience," Shi says.

"Through his work, readers can feel the richness of French literature, which is imbued not only with the culture of metropolitan France, but with experiences from other continents," she continues, adding that Cesaire's writing presents how different parts of the world entered modernity and connected with other parts by following their own path.

The Young Shoots award was bestowed on a translation of a book published in 1515 by an author who wrote in Middle French.

Seyssel's influential book on political thought explores the evolution of the French monarchical system and addresses specific problems facing its practice.

Dong's clear, well-annotated translation, and detailed and rigorous preface, demonstrates the depth of the young historian's knowledge of the subject as well as his professionalism, according to the jury statement.

During his speech at the award ceremony, Lortholary addressed China's recent rise to becoming the largest international partner for French publishers in copyright trading for French books.

He added that the work of the translators goes far beyond that of a simple transcription from one language to another. "They are messengers of culture," he said.

Contact the writer at fangaiqing@chinadaily.com.cn