5 Lesser-known Facts About Literary Translations
5 Lesser-known Facts about Literary Translations
It is possible to find numerous facts about literary translation, some of which are more accurate than others. As a starting point, literary translation is often seen as a straightforward process, the mere act of taking a book from one language and rewriting it into another. In reality, however, it’s an art that requires a deep cultural understanding, creativity, and problem-solving skills. A craft that calls not only for mastery of two languages, but also storytelling abilities, attention to detail, broad knowledge of literature, passion, and dedication. While many authors and readers appreciate the work of translators, several aspects of the job remain hidden from the public eye. In this article, we aim to explore five lesser-known facts about literary translations.
5 Facts about Literary Translation:
1. Translators Are Co-Authors, Not Just Interpreters
A good literary translator doesn’t just convert words; they reconstruct the entire experience of a book in another language, ensuring that foreign readers have the same experience as the audience of the source text (a.k.a., the book written in its original language).
This often means that literary translators have to make creative choices, find equivalent metaphors, and even rework humour or wordplay. Some translators even influence the final style and tone of a work, becoming the author’s voice in a foreign market.
As a result, literary translators are more co-authors than mere intermediaries, their language knowledge and storytelling skills becoming a decisive factor in a book’s success in foreign markets. This is a fact widely recognised by the Berne Convention and many international copyright laws.
Need help finding the right linguist for your titles? Read 7 Tips to Find the Right Literary Translator for Your Self-oublished Books.
2. Some Words and Concepts Are Untranslatable
Every language has words and phrases that don’t have a direct equivalent in another language. For example, the Spanish word sobremesa (chatting after dinner), the German word Schadenfreude (pleasure in someone else’s misfortune), the Danish word hygge (a quality of cosiness), the Swedish word lagom (just the right amount), or the Japanese wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection) don’t have perfect matches in English. Consequently, translators must decide whether to explain, adapt, or replace such words without losing their essence.
3. Cultural Context Can Make or Break a Translation
A literary work is deeply rooted in its culture, and what makes sense in one society might not translate well to another. For instance, idioms, historical references, humour, historical and cultural context, and even character motivations might not resonate with foreign readers.
During the translation process, a skilled translator must find ways to bridge these cultural gaps while preserving the original’s intent and impact.
At the end of the day, cultural context isn’t just a minor detail—it’s the foundation of a great translation. A professional literary translator doesn’t just translate words; they translate meaning, emotion, and cultural relevance. By respecting these nuances, authors can truly connect with foreign readers, making their work feel as authentic and impactful as it does in the original language.
4. Translators Are Often Invisible
While authors receive all the fame, translators rarely get the recognition they deserve. Even though they play a crucial role in bringing literature to new audiences, their names are often hidden in small print. However, without their work, readers wouldn’t have access to international classics like One Hundred Years of Solitude or Crime and Punishment, nor would they be transported into the widely loved worlds of Harry Potter, Bridgerton, or A Song of Ice and Fire.
To make matters worse, in the era of AI, the erosion of readers’ trust in publishing houses is hard to miss. Recently, it has become evident that AI-generated books have left readers feeling deceived, as they fail to faithfully translate the source text into a foreign language. Sadly, a great example of this is the case of The Pumpkin Spice Café, by international best-selling author Laurie Gilmore.
Ultimately, crediting translators in the covers and credits of online vendors, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Kobo, and reader platforms like Goodreads and StoryGraph can help authors demonstrate their commitment to foreign audiences and the quality of their books.
Find out readers’ reactions to HarperCollins’ latest approach to literary translations in the article Epic AI Fails in the Book Industry: The Pumpkin Spice Café Spanish Translation.
5. Literal Translations Can Be Disastrous
For non-professional translators, translating word for word often feels like the safest choice, but in reality, this approach can lead to confusing, awkward, or even disastrous results. Languages are deeply tied to culture, idioms, and context—elements that literal translations often fail to capture.
In Literature, translating word-for-word never works. A literal approach can strip a text of its rhythm, meaning, and emotional depth. Furthermore, a text may lose meaning (or that meaning can become distorted), readers may encounter idioms that don’t make sense, humour and emotion may fall flat, and the sentence structure may read awkwardly. The only way to avoid this is by working with skilled literary translators who know when to take creative liberties to ensure the text remains engaging and meaningful.
Final Thoughts
Apparent for some and yet surprising for many, literary translation is far more than just converting words from one language to another—it’s about capturing the essence, voice, and cultural depth of a story. The nuances of tone, idioms, historical and cultural background, and emotional impact make it a highly skilled art, often overlooked by those unfamiliar with the process. For the most part, it is a complex, creative, and sometimes underappreciated profession. Translators are not just language experts; they are cultural ambassadors, writers, and problem solvers.
From the unexpected challenges of preserving an author’s style to the hidden complexities of reaching international readers, literary translation requires expertise, patience, and creativity.
For authors, understanding these lesser-known facts about literary translations can make all the difference in successfully expanding into foreign markets. Choosing the right translator, allowing for cultural adaptation, and prioritising quality over speed are key to ensuring a book’s success. After all, a great translation isn’t just a mirror image of the original—it’s a new version that resonates just as deeply with a different audience. Hence, it is true for any author that investing in a skilled literary translator means giving their story the best chance to thrive across languages and cultures.
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