There's a mini-interview with German author Daniel Kehlmann, author of Measuring the World, in today's Observer -
You're taking part in the World Literature Weekend which celebrates literature in translation. How do you feel about having your novels translated?
It's a great honour. The idea that there are publishing houses in other countries that pay people to translate my books, and that those people take time to do so, is very flattering. With most translations, though, I have no idea how well they work because I can't read or understand the language.
What about in English?
In English, I work with Carol Janeway who is also a friend and the senior vice-president of my publishing house in America. She was born in Scotland but lives in the US. She does 'transatlantic translation' so that it works in both the US and in Britain. We work very closely together and we have a lot of fun. She captures my tone very well.
Kehlmann is rather naïve if he thinks that publishing houses, at least in the UK, will pay for a translation. No way. The author and/or translator have to find some other way of funding the translator's work, either by tapping some governmental source of grants or by the author dipping into his/her own pocket.
Harry
You're taking part in the World Literature Weekend which celebrates literature in translation. How do you feel about having your novels translated?
It's a great honour. The idea that there are publishing houses in other countries that pay people to translate my books, and that those people take time to do so, is very flattering. With most translations, though, I have no idea how well they work because I can't read or understand the language.
What about in English?
In English, I work with Carol Janeway who is also a friend and the senior vice-president of my publishing house in America. She was born in Scotland but lives in the US. She does 'transatlantic translation' so that it works in both the US and in Britain. We work very closely together and we have a lot of fun. She captures my tone very well.
Kehlmann is rather naïve if he thinks that publishing houses, at least in the UK, will pay for a translation. No way. The author and/or translator have to find some other way of funding the translator's work, either by tapping some governmental source of grants or by the author dipping into his/her own pocket.
Harry