The name “Magpie Bridge Brigade” originated when we were translating Episode 21 of Empresses in the Palace. After our hours-long discussion to interpret the cultural imagery and dramatic function of the poem “Immortals at the Magpie Bridge”, we jokingly called ourselves as a mischief of magpies (talkative people). Every year on Qixi Festival (the 7th day of the 7th lunar month), magpies fly to form a bridge for the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl to reunite in the sky. As translators, we hope to build a magpie bridge for people who share passions for each other’s culture.
“鹊桥小队”这个名字，是在翻译《甄嬛传》21集时，我们为了准确传达《鹊桥仙》的文化意象以及在剧中功能，团队展开了数小时的讨论，我们因此也自嘲自己是一帮喜鹊（英文中magpies也指 “话多的人”）。每年七夕，喜鹊腾飞架桥，让牛郎织女得以相会；作为翻译工作者，我们希望为彼此热爱的人们搭建起文化交流的鹊桥。
Our magpies come from all over the world: there are language professionals from China, as well as English natives from different walks of life. We are a group interested in cultural expression, using our own languages and experiences to build a bridge between communities.
鹊桥小队的成员来自世界各地：有中国本土的语言工作者，也有英语国家各行各业的母语人士。我们是一群对文化表达有兴趣的人，用各自的语言和经验搭起一座民间沟通的桥梁。
鹊桥仙
IMMORTALS AT THE MAGPIE BRIDGE
纤云弄巧 飞星传恨 银汉迢迢暗渡
Above delicate clouds, ever-changing,
live two stars — the cowherd and the weaver.
These two lovers, separated by the Heaven’s River [the Milky Way],
grieve in silence on their annual traverse.
金风玉露一相逢 便胜却人间无数
When autumn’s gilding wind meets with jade-like dew,
magpies take flight to form a bridge for two.
柔情似水 佳期如梦 忍顾鹊桥归路
Tender passion flows like the River eternal,
but the bliss of union is a dream ephemeral.
How can they bear to look upon
the Magpie Bridge, their homeward road?
两情若是久长时 又岂在朝朝暮暮
When love is between immortal hearts,
what matters if dawn to dusk they are apart?
The Magpie Bridge Brigade 鹊桥小队翻译组 