The art of literary translation involves transposing and interpreting creative works such as novels, short prose, poetry, drama, comic strips, and film script from one language and culture into another.Intellectual and academic works include psychology publications, philosophy and physics papers, art and literary criticism, and works of classical and ancient literature.Without literary translation, human thought and art would be devoid of great minds like Einstein, Naguib Mahfouz and Orhan Pamuk.It can be rewarding to learn how to translate.
Step 1: You can become an avid reader in any of your languages.
The ability to read between the lines is required forTranslating creative works.You need to love reading in the genre and be able to understand the nuances of language, culture, thought, and message.If you want to translate Dutch prose poems into English, you have to read as many as you can in Dutch and English.This will help you to understand the styles, subtleties, contexts, and soul of prose poetry in order to reconstruct the English.Don't forget to keep up with your languages.Language is always changing and evolving.New words are born, old words die and are reborn.
Step 2: Your mother tongue is where you should master your writing skills.
Most literary translators only translate into their mother tongue, the language within best they express themselves and are most at home in.You need to know how to write a play if you want to translate it.Writing as much as possible in your language is the only way to hone that skill.The majority of published translators are also published writers.The exception to the rule was Israel's Leah Goldberg.She was European raised and educated, but only spoke Modern Hebrew, her third language from six other languages.She usedHebrew as her home and vehicle of expression and was a prolific writer in Hebrew as well.
Step 3: You should get an education.
Academic institutions are strong supporters of literary and academic translation.At least one degree in comparative literature, linguistics, languages, or translation will give you a head start.Creative writing programs offer literary translation.You will get access to literary lectures, mentor ships with professors who translate, and libraries with well-established and worldly collections if you receive academic training.If you want to learn, you can use books.You can check out what is published in your local book shops and libraries.There are tips for more information.
Step 4: You should research the writer and work that is translated.
A piece of a writer's work is him.You have to know everything about the person behind the words in order to understand them.Do you know when and where the work was written?Where was the author from?What was happening to the writer at that time?Does the work draw inspiration from other works?The writer has written.And so forth.
Step 5: Know the risks of what you're doing.
Depending on the statement of the work, the translation can cost the writer and translator their lives.revolutions and wars have been sparked by the translation of books.Know your audience.
Step 6: No translation is perfect.
The first sentence you write is already lost in translation.You have to reconstruct the original as though it was written in the target language.Shades of meaning and cultural concepts can be lost.Don't be afraid of that, embrace it.If necessary, you can always use footnotes and end notes.Who are you following?The translated parts were proofread before the general read and reviewed them.It is possible to find a better word or expression in the same language.Check to see where you can install your enhancements.
Step 7: Find a publisher.
Publishing houses contract literary translations.Provide writing/translation samples, and negotiate with them.Some countries give grants for translation of literary works.You can check out what's available to you.
Step 8: Join a translation organization.
There are professional organizations for both translators and literary translation in Canada, China, and other countries.It opens your doors to professional training opportunities and translation prizes if you join an organization.
Step 9: Constantly practicing.
It is a good idea to translate for at least fifteen minutes a day.Maintaining a regular schedule and working hard can help you get better.You will be amazed at how much work you have done.