translation

The winning novel of the first ever Man Asian Literary Prize, known popularly as the "Asian Booker," has just had its official English-language translation launch. Wolf Totem was a literary sensation in China when it came out four years ago, and now it's about to launch another giant wave in the English book world.

Translators are among the unsung heroes of the book publishing world, and their job is not a straightforward one. As Stephen Henighan says “translation is the most intense form of engagement with literary language that exists…the lifeblood of our literary culture depends on it.” At least one press— Biblioasis —will now be giving well deserved front cover recognition to translators.

Why is so little of the literature written in languages other than English being translated? “In stark contrast to publishing throughout the rest of the globe, translated fiction accounts for only a tiny fraction of the books published in the English-speaking world.” Perhaps translators should be paid more and they and non-English authors should be given more respect.

Youll have to trust me on this that is exactly what it translates as. Now, why should you care because you are Wordsy readers and are bored if not constantly entertained.

Some people would [say] it just can’t be done. But they are talking about replication, not translation. It is perfectly true that you will never get a replica of the original – nor would you wish to. The way it works, when translator and original are in tune, is that a third poem is created. It is the child of two parents and simply couldn’t exist without them.

Go Beatrice...Formerly, the 1912 Dutch version was thought to be the earliest translation of Potter's work.