After spending the last few months consciously trying to read translated books, I found the newest anthology by Center for the Art of Translation, Wherever I Lie Is Your Bed, the perfect introduction to translated literature from around the world. The anthology is a mixture of short stories, book excerpts, and poems. The works are stellar; one after another capturing a haunting moment, the beauty of a life, the isolation of a life alone. Each story embodies an intimacy that some people believe cannot be translated from one language to another. When I read a translated book, I often feel like the translator is a person in the corner watching me, knowing but silent. I poured over the translators introductions to each entry finally feeling like an essential person in my experience was finally given voice. As a result, I’m excited to ask one of the translators from Wherever I Lie Is Your Bed, Alison Anderson, a few questions.
Alison translated one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have read in a long time, “The Lady in White” by Christian Bobin. Whenever anyone mentions lyrical writing again, I’ll think of this piece. I loved the writing so much, I bought the only other book by Bobin that I could find in English, The Very Lowly: A Meditation on Francis of Assisi. Here are some of Alison’s thoughts on translations and, of course, bookstores:
1. The writing in The Lady in White is so lyrical, how much leeway do you give yourself between the literal meaning versus the sound and the poetry of the writing? Which do you believe is most important of the two?
I think, in the case of Bobin, I would always lean toward the lyrical. However, because of the clarity and evocative simplicity of his writing, there is rarely a conflict between the literal meaning and the sound and poetry. English being far less poetic than French, it’s sometimes a stretch, but I’ve usually found satisfactory solutions.
2. Are you (or most translators) equally comfortable in both languages, and if not, is it better to be the native speaker of the original work or the translated one?
I would say I am equally comfortable in both languages, at least for speaking and understanding, but I would hesitate to write in French, for example… good translators, literary or otherwise, should always translate Read the rest of this entry »
Claire
Kim
