Why does anyone translate?

[Rumpelstilzchen]

With focus on Hungarian literature in English translation, by the Kertesz translator Tim Wilkinson:

http://www.eurozine.com/articles/2006-01-30-wilkinson-en.html


If one looks specifically at works translated from Hungarian: not only did more of these appear in German during 1999 alone than in English during the entire 16 years since 1989, but on average, ten times more titles are published annually in Germany than in the UK.

[Eric]

The title of the article could have been more specific Rumpelstilzchen, but it does highlight the fact, once again, that the Brits do not appear to want to read books not written in English. You can hardly blame Jobbik for this development, because in the quote there have been more Hungarian books published in German translation during one year than during 16 into English. Most of these books will be novels and poetry.

Why do the Brits, in this case, starve themselves of influences from Central Europe? It seems perverse that Britain fought alongside - and against - several European countries during WWII, but is now indifferent to their literature, which forms a principal partr of their culture. Because it's not only Hungarian, the malaise involves translation in general in the UK.

[Rumpelstilzchen]

The title of the article could have been more specific Rumpelstilzchen [...]

Yes, you are right. Maybe Stewart can change it to something like "Hungarian literature in English" or something, I cannot find an "edit" button to do it myself, apparently it is not possible for users to change thread titles.