# 207 The Art and Business of Literary Translation with Dr. B.J. Woodstein

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In this section, Dr. BJ Woodstein discusses her journey into translation and the influence of human touch in the translation process.

Dr. BJ Woodstein's Translation Journey

• Dr. Woodstein shares her experience of transitioning from living in the United States to Sweden, where she discovered a passion for Swedish language and literature. She reflects on the differences between Swedish and English writing styles.

• Initially translating various content like websites and menus, Dr. Woodstein gradually delved into literary translation, starting her career as a translator in 2002.

• Transitioning from business translation to literary translation, Dr. Woodstein highlights the importance of diverse translation experiences for learning and growth in the field.

Translation Theory for Literary Translators

This segment focuses on Dr. Woodstein's upcoming book on translation theory for literary translators and its significance in bridging theory with practice.

Significance of Translation Theory

• Dr. Woodstein emphasizes the need for translators to understand translation theory alongside practical skills to enhance their work.

• The book aims to make translation theory accessible to translators by demystifying complex concepts and showcasing their relevance in improving translation quality.

• Lack of accessible resources on translation theory tailored for translators inspired Dr. Woodstein to write a book that fills this gap in the market.

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In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of translating theories from various countries and ethnicities to broaden the understanding of translation beyond Western perspectives.

Importance of Diverse Translation Theories

• Translation theories from different countries challenge the notion that translation theory is solely a Western concept.

• The speaker emphasizes the significance of exploring diverse viewpoints on translation, such as those from India, Israel, and other regions.

• Theory influences daily translation work by prompting considerations of ethical responsibilities in decision-making processes.

• Ethical concerns are particularly relevant in translating children's literature, where cultural differences impact what is deemed appropriate for young readers.

Exploring Cultural Variances in Children's Literature Translation

This segment delves into the complexities of translating children's literature across cultures and how ethical considerations play a crucial role in ensuring appropriateness for diverse audiences.

Cultural Adaptation in Children's Literature Translation

• Translators navigate cultural disparities to ensure translated content aligns with the values and expectations of target audiences.

• Ethical dilemmas arise when deciding whether to make changes based on cultural norms or adhere strictly to the original text.

The Challenges of Translating Children's Literature

The discussion delves into the challenges faced when translating children's literature, including cultural differences, author-editor dynamics, and the impact of language on content adaptation.

Cultural Variances in Translation

• AED Lingan used outdated language that requires revision for modern audiences.

• Cultural disparities lead to alterations in texts for English-speaking markets.

• German and Swedish literature exhibit more flexibility compared to English literature regarding childhood themes.

Author-Translator Dynamics

• Translators navigate author preferences while balancing editorial requirements.

• Authors may vary in their acceptance of translation changes based on personal views.

Legacy Management and Copyright

• Descendants often oversee the legacy and rights of deceased authors like Astrid Lindgren.

• Editors make final decisions when copyright is public, posing challenges for translators.

Author-Translator Communication Dynamics

This segment explores the intricate role of translators as mediators between authors, editors, and literary agents in facilitating effective communication during the translation process.

Translator-Author Interaction

• Translators act as intermediaries between authors who prefer non-English communication and English-speaking editors.

Mediation Challenges

• Literary agents sometimes manage author-translator interactions, impacting communication flow.

Case Study: JK Rowling

Knowledge and Confidentiality in Translation

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by translators, including confidentiality issues and the simultaneous release of translated works.

Challenges Faced by Translators

• Translators need to maintain confidentiality about their work, although simultaneous releases are not common.

• Keeping confidentiality is crucial for translators, who may be gathered together to work on bestsellers like Dan Brown's books.

• Translators may be sequestered to ensure all translations are released simultaneously to prevent unofficial translations.

Market Dynamics in Literary Translation

This part delves into the market dynamics of literary translation, discussing rates, demand based on language expertise, and challenges faced by translators.

Market Dynamics

• Rates for translation are set by organizations like the Society of Authors; recommended rates provide a baseline for professional translators.

• Language expertise plays a significant role in demand; languages like Korean may be more sought after than others like German or Spanish.

• Building reputation is essential for translators working on less popular languages; non-fiction and business translation can supplement literary work.

Translator's Role as Relay Translator

The role of relay translators is discussed, where translations serve as intermediaries between languages before reaching the final target language audience.

Relay Translation

• Relay translators often translate works that won't be published in English directly but will serve as a basis for further translations into other languages.

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In this section, the speaker discusses their experience of having their work translated and published without acknowledgment in other countries.

Experience with Translations

• The speaker mentions that their work was sent to Korea or other places for translation and publication without proper recognition.

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This part delves into how translators build their reputation in the field.

Building Reputation as a Translator

• Translators may start by doing book reports or sample translations to showcase their skills to publishers and literary agents.

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The discussion focuses on strategies for translators to establish credibility in the industry.

Establishing Credibility

• Translators often present sample translations or book reports to demonstrate their ability to analyze literature and provide honest assessments.

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This segment explores the process of creating readers' reports for publishers.

Creating Readers' Reports

• Translators write readers' reports analyzing books to assess their market potential in English, aiding in building reputation based on honest evaluations.

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Here, the speaker discusses the significance of sample translations in attracting publishers.

Importance of Sample Translations

English Challenges in Translating Swedish to English

In this section, the speaker discusses the challenges faced when translating from Swedish to English, focusing on linguistic differences and cultural concepts.

Linguistic Challenges

• Swedish and German are agglutinative languages, allowing for longer words by stringing them together, unlike English.

• Translating from Swedish to English often results in longer English text due to the conciseness of Swedish language.

• Adapting translations to maintain the original meaning while ensuring fluency in English poses a significant challenge.

Cultural Concepts

• Certain Swedish terms like "Lagom" (just the right amount) are challenging to translate accurately into English.

• Differences in acceptability of topics between Swedish and English literature present translation difficulties.

English Cultural Sensitivities in Translation

This part delves into cultural sensitivities encountered during literary translation, highlighting ethical dilemmas and challenges related to content adaptation.

Ethical Considerations

• Instances where explicit content in translations faces resistance due to cultural norms and appropriateness.

• Balancing fidelity to the original text with cultural acceptability poses ethical dilemmas for translators.

Human vs. AI Translation

• The complexity of translation involving nuanced human decisions contrasts with AI's limitations in handling such sensitive content.

English Impact of AI on Literary Translation

Discusses the growing role of AI in literary translation, its implications on quality, cost-cutting measures, and ethical concerns within the industry.

Rise of AI in Translation

• Publishers resorting to machine translation tools like Google Translate for initial translations before human editing.

• Decreased compensation for human translators due to misconceptions about the simplicity of editing machine-generated translations.

Ethical Implications

• Concern over compromised quality and potential job loss as AI advancements threaten traditional translation practices.

Messages from Authors Regarding Self-Publishing and Translation

The speaker discusses receiving requests from authors for self-publishing assistance, including translation services, highlighting the challenges and time-consuming nature of such tasks.

Authors' Requests for Self-Publishing Assistance

• The speaker receives messages from authors wanting help with self-publishing their books.

• Authors often request translation services at a minimal cost.

• Expresses reluctance due to the significant time investment required for thorough translations.

Challenges and Considerations in Translation Work

Delving into the complexities of translation work, the speaker reflects on the challenges faced by translators, especially in balancing technology with human creativity.

Balancing Technology and Creativity in Translation

• Acknowledges that starting translators may accept challenging jobs for experience.

• Emphasizes the intricate nature of translation work that involves numerous editorial decisions.

• Discusses using technology like chat GPT for more customized translations but highlights limitations compared to human decision-making processes.

Human Intelligence vs. AI in Translation

Exploring the nuances between human intelligence and artificial intelligence in translation, focusing on creative leaps and decision-making processes.

Human Intelligence in Translation

• Reflects on making creative decisions beyond what current machine translations can achieve.

• Highlights the complexity of micro editorial decisions that contribute to high-quality translations.

• Raises questions about reaching a level of human intelligence unattainable by AI in translation work.

Utilizing Tools in Translation Work

Discussing the role of tools like Google Translate in translation work and emphasizing the importance of human intervention despite technological advancements.

Role of Tools in Translation

• Considers tools like Google Translate as aids rather than replacements for human judgment.

• Stresses the need for human-level input to refine machine-generated translations effectively.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Higher Education

The speaker discusses their work on equality, diversity, and inclusion in higher education, particularly focusing on the experiences of Jewish academics and students.

Exploring Inclusion in Institutions

• Planning to write a book on inclusion in institutions based on survey results.

• Interest in translating queer literature and exploring identity in translation.

Translator Selection Controversies

• Controversies around selecting translators for specific works.

• Debating if only individuals from a community can translate texts related to that community for better translations.

Progress in Translation Discussions