Translating is a delicate skill that has facilitated culture and diplomacy through the ages. Whether used by literary translators navigating the fine linguistic lines of a story or by interpreters sitting in sound-proof rooms, translating a babble of conversation into coherent meaning, without translation and interpretation, ideas could not be shared and peace talks could not take place. Translators are the unsung heroes of culture and diplomacy. Their importance is especially pertinent in the current political climate – these men and women are crucial to preserving the flow of discourse and diplomacy.
Nowhere is there a better example of the precise magic of translation than in literature. To translate an entire story is a truly talented feat. Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is a novel that weaves intricate turns of phrase, the poetic flow of diction and precise language to create an immersive and moving experience. The semiotic pull at the heart of a story like this is something that cannot be easily translated; it lies in the careful placement of language.
Literary translators are ambassadors between cultures; their work unites diverse nations through a shared passion for literature. The gift of the literary translator goes beyond mere language; they navigate the space between words to translate meaning. To achieve this, they must understand culture as well as language.
The strength of Russian fiction is known to everyone, with authors such as Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Nabokov recognised the world over. Read Russia, an initiative started in 2012, works to bring Russian literature to other nations. This week, Read Russia will be holding several events at the London Book Fair around the discourse of translation – there will be presentations and discussions regarding everything from contemporary and classic translated literature to translating Russian poetry.
The Read Russia English Translation Prize celebrates the achievement of literary translators. The prize will be awarded in New York in May and discussed at the London Book Fair, it recognises the undeniable fact that incredible literary works would not exist in our awareness if it was not for the work of translators.
So let’s celebrate the men and women who facilitate this cultural exchange. Without them the doors of cultural diplomacy would remain closed and our lives would be sadly bereft of great foreign fiction. These men and women go unnoticed, but each day they touch our lives in some way. It might be through the careful interpretation of political dialogue, the translation of news or by that most intrinsic of things – maintaining the flow of ideas, inspiration and culture through fiction.
Notes for Editors:
Read Russia
Read Russia, founded in 2012, is an initiative – based in Moscow, New York, and London – established to celebrate Russian literature and Russian book culture. Through innovative programs, projects, and events supporting the English-language translation and publication of Russian works, Read Russia provides international audiences with fresh opportunities to engage – in person, on screen, and online – with Russia’s literary leaders and heritage. Read Russia will once again have a stand at London Book Fair 2014.
London Book Fair
Now in its 43rd year, The London Book Fair is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. It returns to Earls Court from 8-10 April 2014.
UK-Russia Year of Culture 2014
The British Council and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 2014 will see the biggest ever programme of UK cultural projects take place across Russia and an unprecedented showcase of Russian culture in the United Kingdom.
The UK-Russia Year of Culture 2014 celebrates the rich and diverse cultural heritage of both countries. It aims to foster cultural exchange and the flow of ideas whilst developing stronger relations between people, institutions and governments. The scale of the programme across arts, education, language and science is indicative of a huge improvement in cultural relations.
Curzon PR
Curzon PR is a strategic public relations and digital communications agency. We work across arts, culture, business and policy in growth markets. Our cross-sector approach transcends geographies and cultures, ensuring clients benefit from strategic insight and an international network across art, business, media and politics. Clients have included Maslenitsa: Russian Festival in London, South Korean Brand Entertainment Expo, the Ukraine Biennale of Contemporary Art and Oscar-winning surgeon Mohammad Jawad. For more information, visit www.curzonpr.com.
