LBF 2013: Video of panel discussion on ‘Becoming a Literary Translator’

  For those of you who couldn’t make it to the London Book Fair last month (or for those who were there but are now suffering from withdrawal symptoms), all the panel discussions are now available to watch online. Why not start with this lovely one, where I was joined by panelists Katy Derbyshire, Anna … Continue reading »

London Book Fair 2013: Five things…

I’ve almost recovered from the literary extravaganza of last week’s London Book Fair, which was my favourite so far. Given that I’m quite pushed for time over the next week or two — with a major deadline, a house-move and the beginning of a dalliance/life-changing adventure in [delete later as appropriate] location independence — I’ll … Continue reading »

Leipziger Buchmesse 2013

Last week, I exchanged the London chill for the snow of Berlin, Leipzig and Chemnitz. As I expected from my previous visit with the Goethe Institute translation tour in 2010, the Leipzig Book Fair was an exhilarating whirlwind of inspiring readings, panel discussions and friendly faces. On Thursday, I dived straight in with a meeting about a … Continue reading »

‘Make Languages Work for You’ event (in which I enthuse wildly to undergraduates about being a translator)

I spent Tuesday evening excitedly telling around 60 undergraduates how much I love being a translator. It was an event called ‘Make Languages Work for You’, arranged to give students an idea of the careers in which they can use their languages. Designed as a speed-meet, there were 6 tables of students from all year … Continue reading »

The Translation Forecast for Spring and Summer 2013: Part One

As ever, the last weeks of winter and approaching joys of spring come with the promise of exciting translation events. Tonight, the Free Word Centre is hosting the debate ‘Whose News is it Anyway? Translation and Language in the Media’. A group of experts will discuss ”the use and abuse of translation in reporting daily international … Continue reading »

The Rossica Young Translators Award

Following on from this week’s post about Boris Akunin’s captivating Sebald Lecture, and continuing the theme of translation awards, Academia Rossica have just informed me about an excellent opportunity for aspiring young Russian-English translators. The Rossica Young Translators Award, sister prize of the prestigious Rossica Prize, is now open for submissions for its 2013 competition. … Continue reading »

The freedom to look at clouds in a non-predatory way, or the joy of being a translator, by Boris Akunin

The annual Sebald Lecture is always just what the doctor ordered, guaranteed to lubricate the translation cogs and stave off thoughts of the February chill outside. This year was my my favourite so far (although if I had a time machine programmed to 2002, then I’m sure Susan Sontag’s would be a close contender). The … Continue reading »

A Berlin story

I took a brief, unexpected trip to Berlin last week, thanks to a wonderful birthday present from a good friend. I’m so happy I got to round off 2012 with a sojourn in my ‘second home of the heart’, not just for the chance to see much-loved friends, but also to attend the launch of … Continue reading »

That’s what poems are for.

Last week, I took a few hours out to listen to German author Angela Krauβ speak about ‘life’s hidden poetry’ at Queen Mary University. After being writer in residence at the Centre for Anglo-German Cultural Relations back in 2009, Krauβ agreed to return and lead an undergraduate seminar. I’m not sure the undergrads fully realised their luck … Continue reading »

”You’re gonna need a bigger boat”: International Translation Day 2012

On Friday, Kings Place played host to London’s annual International Translation Day event, now in its third year.  Despite having already moved to the bigger venue after being oversubscribed in its former home (the Free Word Centre), it seems there was a waiting list this year too. As Rose Fenton, Free Word Director, said in … Continue reading »