A good book is what any serious translator always appreciates. In my case, this is what actually made me want to become a professional linguist in the first place.
My passion for books started very early on and all the late nights spent reading with a little lamp on are probably the reason why I wear glasses now. I don’t remember much of what I read then but all the parts of Thorgall’s adventures in comic book format and Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio have definitely made a lasting impact on me.
Already in high school, I attempted to read the original English editions of Tolkien’s L.O.T.R., Bill Bryson’s travel books and some of Chuck Palahniuk’s chilling prose. Mind you, these were the times when the Internet was not exactly widespread in Poland, so I obtained some of the foreign books during my first UK trip and the rest must have been some pirated PDFs.
I still remember the heartbreaking feeling I experienced twice (!) when I found out half way through translating a book of my choosing (First, Bryson’s A Short Story of Everything and later Palahniuk’s Invisible Monsters) that it had already been translated and published. Still, these humble beginnings were the place where it all started. The seed had been sown. I became fascinated with how my interpretation of words gives the text a certain flow or how I can decide on the rhythm and emotion of the text.
Now, a few years later – having finally managed to see my translations published a couple of times – I still become so easily infatuated with the language used in books, the author’s linguistic creativity and worlds contained within the pages. Sometimes when reading I am imagining how the text would sound in a different language (occasionally I feel it would actually reach a whole new dimension) and on other occasions I simply feel that no translation would ever be able to faithfully render the original. I thought of a few literary positions that are good examples for these reflections. They all left me fascinated, awestruck and very, very jealous.
1. White and Red by Dorota Masłowska – what a mind trip! I borrowed it from a friend in high school and re-read it countless times since then. The author took every possible Polish grammar and punctuation rule and tore it apart. The effect? A narration that resembles ramblings of your average teenager around the block. Not sure how well it translates into other languages, but apparently there are a few international renditions and most have failed, can’t wait to get my hands on them! I imagine it might be tricky to “get” the book without a Polish background or lengthy explanations. I myself would tremble before attempting a translation of this rollercoaster of deliberate linguistic errors but some of my fellow colleagues must have had some filthy fun with it 🙂
2. The Dice Man by Luke Reinhardt – this is what I call a game changer. A mind-blowing piece of fiction written so methodically and elegantly by an ex-university lecturer you simply want to throw away your life and let the dice decide the rest… I had some naughty fun on my US trip when I let the dice tell me what to do for a few days, maybe one day I will take it all the way? If I ever write a book I want it to bring about at least half as many goose bumps as this one does. Currently reading it again in Spanish, great and different vibe of the original.
3. Blindness by José Saramago – I have just finished it in two or three sittings. Imagine the whole world goes blind all of a sudden, what would happen? Raw, sincere and visceral fiction. The language is very simple, there are no names of characters and dialogues all bundled together line by line and you still can’t stop turning the pages – kudos, José. Getting the original edition is on my shopping list, great way of improving my Portuguese.
Portuguese version.
English version.
4. Drowining People by Richard Mason – The opening sentence grabs you by the throat and never lets go until the very last page – “My wife of more than forty-five years shot herself yesterday afternoon. At least that is what the police assume, and I am playing the part of grieving widower with enthusiasm and success… It was I who killed her”. I understand the author was about 20 when he wrote this. I am so very jealous. Far from your typical airport paperback whuddunit, this is a gloomy and engrossing tale; they don’t get any better than that. Fantastic Polish translation by Anna Zielińska.
English version.
Polish version.
5. Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk – Most people only know the author by Fight Club, but this one is so much better. A riveting and brutal and hilarious analysis of today’s vain and superficial society, especially around the fashion industry. Short, piercing phrases leave you wondering if you should burst out laughing or be disgusted. Or both. So much fun to read and translate, great training in American prose.
This is just a handful of a whole bunch of amazing books. I could have included The Vegetarian by Han Kang, Machine Man by Max Barry, Lamb by Christopher Moore or several others… Maybe another time I’ll type up part II of this post.
Have you read any of the above? Ever been enchanted with the language in a book? Feel free to recommend me a good one!