found in translation – aflevering 12
15/02/2025 — Om te vieren dat mijn werk (ook de komende jaren) in zoveel talen vertaald wordt, heb ik besloten al mijn vertalers te interviewen. Omdat hun werk al te vaak onderbelicht blijft en zij meestal buiten beeld, terwijl een boek in het buitenland maar zo goed is als zijn vertaler. Hun métier, koppigheid, taalgevoel, creativiteit en precisie zorgen ervoor dat een boek zijn ziel behoudt, dat het ritme klopt, het proza zingt, de betekenis niet verschuift en de spitsvondigheden niet afvlakken. In het beste geval wordt je boek er zelfs beter van dan het was. Omdat ik zelf ook weleens iets vertaal weet ik het maar al te goed: het is een (vaak onderbetaald) vak dat engelengeduld vraagt, vaak aartsmoeilijk en soms frustrerend is, maar dat ook intense voldoening kan schenken. En dat meer aandacht verdient.
Dus ziehier — een hommage aan de vertaler. In aflevering 12:
Anar Rahimov, die Trofee naar het Azeri vertaalde.
Het boek verschijnt dit najaar bij Alatoran!
13 possible questions
How do you start working at a translation?
I grew up in the family where both my father and mother were literature and languages teachers. İ graduated first from Azerbaijani University of Languages, faculty of philology, English literature, then University of Oslo, Scandinavian Studies, with the main focus on languages and literatures. So i have so to say, always been inside the literature. I made my first translations from Russian and English but they never were published. Just for myself. Back when i was a student. My first literary translation experience was prominent Norwegian author Dag Solstads work “Shyness and dignity”. During my University years at Oslo our literary teacher Erik made us all love him, adore him. So i have felt keen desire to bring this fantastic work to our readers. In 2016 we were on seminars at University of Oslo and they took us to visit NORLA (Norwegian Literature abroad) offices. There, i met two marvellous women, Toril and Dina. With their support and great motivation of NORLA/Norwegian support programme for literature abroad. From that day on literary translation has been inseparable part of my life
Do you work together closely with the author, or not?
(Why? What’s the (dis)advantages?)
Umm…How to say. Sometimes I work together, sometimes not. I would rather work together, but there some authors that doesn’t not respond to my queries, or answer very late. But at the same time when you work, you try to clarify this or that word, expression; it is only good for texts quality. Taking into consideration that i translate from Scandinavian languages, novels from Belgium, into Azerbaijani there are indeed hardships in terms of semantics, syntax or social situations. All this can be translated well only with consultancy with the author.
Advantage is that you may get more information from first hand, but disadvantage is author’s directions, comments, advice may limit your own freedom, creativity as a translator.
For me, translation feels like reading from the inside, where you try to look inside the author’s head and thus look at a text analytically. Can you still enjoy a book if you translate it ? Does translating change your way of reading ?
I have been thinking a lot about it recently. Translating a book can definitely change your way of reading. When i translate, i often focus more on the nuances of the language, the sentence structure and cultural, social context behind the words. True, this can lead to deeper understanding of text, but it might also make it harder to enjoy the story as a whole, mainly because your are concentrating on mechanics, tactics of the translation. Translating a book, at least for me is in no way a leisurely reading. It is more a task which i enjoy.
I think while translating you are more focused on structure, difficulties, relevance rather thank enjoying text a a ordinary reader.
What kind of work do you usually translate? Which authors do you (like to) translate?
How did my text come to you?
Actually i do translate all kinds of books and can say that i enjoy them equally. As i translator you know that we don’t have that kind of freedom to choose books to translate every time. It is more up to publishers to choose them for us. But in case i have a chance to choose i prioritise books that has to do with human nature, human psychology, his choices- let me say it shortly- about real people- that i can feel, touch, see in my everyday life. For example translating books about WW2 shakes me and i feel i like those stories more. Last but not least i am more into fictional autobiography.
When it comes to your book i must say that theme was something new for me, but attracted from very beginning. For me, first few chapters are of absolutely crucial importance as how my attitude would be toward text. After Felix Timmermans, Hendrik Consciense and Annelies Verbeke From Flemish literature i was quite a thrilling, new experience. I enjoyed every page of it which made it easier for me to work with this strenuous ( in terms of language) text.
What did you like about translating my work, and what just bothered you ?
I liked very much the fact that in the centre of your books stands human nature, human mind, and while translating i liked how you played with words, expressions, examples in order to deliver inner sight, feelings of your hero. And i like the fact that you don’t feed the text with abundant chapters. Very precise and concise!
What bothered me…Umm, i think in some cases language nuances, i had really to fight with some expressions and cultural references, sometimes it took me almost an hour to find direct equivalents of some words of expressions. Certain concepts didn’t altogether exist in target language- in Azerbaijani. For this reason in some chapters it was a great challenge for me to maintain the original tone and style especially when you used humour, sarcasm or formal language. Or fauna and flora description of Africa.
Does secondary translation make it different?
Where were the challenges, the difficulties, the opportunities?
Which passage did you curse?
I think i have answered to this question above. I don’t think i can state specific passage. But if have absolutely to mention one passage i must mention some places at 5th chapter. I don’t know why, it make me sweat.
What difficult choices did you encounter and how did you deal with them?
Does rhythm and colour or precision and meaning prevail for you?
I translate from Scandinavian languages and sometimes English into Azerbaijani. The total difference between languages and cultures and sometimes specific nature of the context . Some social words, some terms or concepts may not have direct equivalents in Azerbaijani. When i encounter this kind of challenges i need to spend extra time to research and understand in order accurately convey their meaning in the target language. I usually contact authors, when in need, or go to advice to my colleagues with whom I work together at the Azerbaijani University of Languages. But frankly, there are cases exact meaning simply doesn’t exist in Azerbaijani, then i just find another ways. I just make sure it is culturally appropriate and relevant. Yes, rhythm and colour and precision are completely important. I think it is about finding right balance. One of my main and important objectives is to make text stylistically correct and that it flows naturally in Azerbaijani. That is why for me background information both about the book and author is of great importance.
Which find were you particularly proud of?
Where did you encounter inevitable loss? How did you solve it?
What is the most beautiful thing you ever translated (from anyone ) and what would you never want to translate?
There are several texts that i feel very close to my heart. Because of themes, genres and style i love them more than others. Trophy is for sure one of them. Then i can name Danish author Tove Ditlevsens “ Copenhagen Trilogy”. Felix Timmermans Pallieter and Knut Hamsuns “ Hunger” But frankly, there are not text or author that i would claim that i would never translate. In every genre i found something attracting, touching, interesting. I can not single out any specifically .
What is the most beautiful translated sentence you ever wrote?
Qorxaqlar ümidsiz olur, axmaqlar isə yalnış ümidə sahib olur. ( Lars Svendsen. Håpets filosofi)
To what extent do you take current (language) sensitivities into account when translating?
Is that explicitly requested? Have you already worked with sensitivity readers?
I think translators should definitely take current language sensitivities into account when translating. Language changes always. And while changing it reflects social values and norms. If translator translates wit this consideration the text for sure will be relevant and respectful to the target language. But i don’t think it is a good idea to put this as explicitly request, particularly for new beginning translators. Being aware of these or that sensitivities can be seen as a professional standard. Issues such as gender inclusivity, cultural nuances are absolutely important for publishers sometimes. For example my current publisher which i work last three years asks me to avoid outdated or offensive terms, explicit vulgarity and so on. I don’t know..this is complicated question and has no “yes” or no” answer.
Who can be called a good translator. Who that finds good balance, loyalty, fidelity to the original text. And in order to do this, what is important? It is important that you are well awre of contemporary language situation. Your languages must resonate with the readers today. With the readers that are mostly influenced by instagram facebook, tiktok and so on.
Is translation an art (and a matter of inspiration) or rather a profession (and therefore a craft)?
I guess translation can definitely be seen as both. I think it can be called art because it requires creativity, understanding, analysing of the nuances of language. But it is also obviously profession. Because it requires, involves skills, experience, expertise. I believe i am inclined to choose second answer. Especially because it is totally crucial to understand certain text and cultural nuances. Translators need to have deep understanding of both languages and cultures.
Why did you become a literary translator?
What are the qualities of a good literary translator?
It is first and foremost because i have always been surrounded by books. I did some literary translations from Galsworthy, Charles Dickens, Lewis Carrol and son on. But though i have translated various texts i never thought i could became full time literary translator ever. Mainly because lack of working discipline. I don’t consider myself as a disciplined person. Bu the reason i work as a literary translator is two beautiful Norwegian women, who worked in Norla. 10 years ago when we visited their office, conversation with them was so exceptionally inspirational that shortly after i began my carrier as a translator. Today, as a gratitude to them, i would like to mention their names which i bear in my mind always- Dina and Torill.
When it comes to good qualities of the translator first is the sense of loyalty. You should always stay loyal to original text- be it style, be it format, be it spirit. You don’t have any right to invent or create anything independently. Then i think to be disciplined, to have good insight to world literature is absolutely necessary. Last, but not least to put aside all the positive and negative feelings prejudices about book that is under translation. It can affect negatively the quality of translation.
Do you have a metaphor or an expression you like to use to describe translation?
I like more expression “Lost in translation” Cause this best expresses how some meanings, emotions or cultural references are lost, overlooked or misinterpreted, misrepresented during literally translation process.
When / where / how do you translate (don’t feel obliged to answer, I’m just always curious about workplaces, habits, work rhythms, etc.)?
I prefer to work very early in the morning, those 2-3 hours when kids are asleep, when there is dead silence at home. These hours i am very fresh. Minimal distraction, environment free from interruptions are important. Early in the morning, in the balcony preferably, i have to see outside world when i translate. The sun, trees, moving cars or people are source of inspiration for me while i translate. It is absolutely crucial. I have never enjoyed working in closed office areas or underground locations. I simply can’t think or analyse there. And no music, it distracts me… In the summer time i mainly work in the park nearby. In the mornings there is silent and i am not distracted.
Bio
I was born in Baku, Azerbaijan in 1984 in the library, cause it was a sudden birth. Mother and father were both English literature professors. Since my childhood i was surrounded by and interested in solely books. I graduated first Azerbaijani University of Languages, then University of Oslo- Scandinavian studies. With the focus on languages and literature. Currently i am working at the University of Languages and teaching Norwegian language and literature. But mostly i am engaged in my literary translations. I translate literature from Norwegian, Danish, Flemish and Dutch. I love translating, i love it very much, it has been most crucial and inseparable part of my life last ten years. I love it because it gives me chance to get to know new cultures, life styles, societies, to e first to read quality literature from different countries. And at the same time earn money for living, support myself and my family. I don’t think there are so many people who earns money and enjoys doing what he does.
Thank you very much for sending me questions.
Thank you, Anar!