The English-Tibetan versions of "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet," two of William Shakespeare's most popular dramatic works, are now available in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

The bilingual translations are the first of Shakespeare's famous plays to be translated directly from English to Tibetan.

The translator, 72-year-old Wangdo, said "I hope more Tibetans can get to know Shakespeare better and read these famous world literary works through my efforts."

A native of Gyangze County of Xigaze Prefecture, Wangdo spent two years on the project, one for each of the two plays. He studied English at an Indian college for six years. On his return from India, Wangdo became a teacher and worked as an English interpreter with the regional tourism bureau of Tibet.

Wangdo, who is also a writer, retired in 1992. Ever since then, he has been devoted to writing novels, tourism guides, introductions to the folkways and customs in Tibet and translations of foreign literary works.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2004)