My primary work is as a translator, of literature when I can and of other things when I must. I became a translator for many reasons, but first and foremost because I love reading. Translation makes the number of stories available to us infinite, it brings us closer to people who are far away culturally, geographically and linguistically.
Unfortunately, literary translation into English is a pretty marginalized task. American and European Anglophones have such a wealth of literature available in their native tongues that they tend to think (consciously or unconsciously) that there's no need to look elsewhere.
They're wrong, of course. If nothing else, they're missing out on some wonderful writing. More importantly, reading (fiction, poetry, essays) is a powerful way to build empathy and open minds.
Because I feel so passionately that translated literature is important, I volunteer my time and writing for Asymptote Journal. Asymptote is a free online literary translation journal, published quarterly, run entirely by a global team of volunteers. They run contests for emerging translators, actively seek to publish less-represented languages, and have an extremely high bar for editorial quality.
Asymptote's Winter 2018 Edition (their 7th anniversary!) was just released, and I wanted to highlight some of my favorite pieces. If you're a reader, a writer, a translator, or just curious about all this...I hope you'll consider reading a piece or two!
(All of the images featured below (unless otherwise specified) are by Elephnt, a Singapore-based artist featured in this Winter 2018 Edition of Asymptote)
Ismail Kadare's Essay
"Was it happiness or sadness to father tragedy, a doomed creature that sallied forth into the world to live a thousand lifetimes?" --Ismail Kadare, Aeschylus, the Lost
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https://www.asymptotejournal.com/nonfiction/ismail-kadare-aeschylus-the-lost/
Kadare is perhaps Albania's most internationally-recognized writer. In this essay he begins by talking about Aeschylus, "father of Western Tragedy", and ends by discussing Balkan funerals and weddings. This essay can't be summarized, it has to be read to be believed.
Indigenous Mexican Poetry
“Let us renew the year.
Let us burn flowers
to the four corners of the earth.
Let us offer blood
to the Lord of the hills
that he protect us from the dogs
from the men with guns
from the silence in the streets
from the sunset-colored wells
from the ones who carry off our children
from them, the people in the places
we labor.” --Hubert Matiúwàa
https://www.asymptotejournal.com/poetry/hubert-matiuwaa-earthen-skin/
This poem was translated from Mè’phàà (an indigenous language of Mexico) into Spanish, then into English. The imagery is powerful and unusual, a testament to the abilities of the author and his translators. It’s also very rare for indigenous languages of the Americas to be translated into English, so I feel lucky to be able to read this at all!
Gambian Poets and a Wonderful Bookstore
“Timbooktoo [bookstore] is the Gambia’s foremost literary establishment...It is a haven for readers and connoisseurs of Gambian literature—a place where you can find Gambian writings, by Gambians and on the Gambia, published by international as well as local publishers, such as Fulladu.” --Tijan M. Sallah
(Image: http://www.vogeldocumentatiefonds.nl/timbooktoo/home.html)
https://www.asymptotejournal.com/special-feature/tijan-m-sallah-on-the-new-gambian-poets/
In this essay, Tijan M. Sallah introduces the world at large to some of the Gambia’s most promising young poets. I particularly love this passage about the Timbooktoo Bookstore, a place which he describes as both a gathering place and breeding ground for Gambian writers. I wish I could visit! The closest I can get right now is reading the poets he mentions, which is pretty good indeed!
Spooky Microfiction
“That night, at the hour when insomniacs begin their naps, I got up, went to the phone and dialed Fernando’s number. He answered on the first ring, but I hung up before hearing any voice. I just wanted to make sure that Hell existed.” -- Juan José Millás
https://www.asymptotejournal.com/special-feature/juan-jose-millas-the-canary-and-hell/
I love “microfiction” (very very short stories), and lucky me! This issue of Asymptote has a Microfiction special feature! Juan José Millás’ two stories are funny, dark and thought provoking, and just a few hundred words long each. More than worth five minutes of your time.
These are just a few of my very favorite pieces from this issue of Asymptote. It features fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, book reviews and visual art...so there’s truly something for everyone (or rather, everyone who enjoys mind-broadening international art).
What are you waiting for? Get reading!!
Do you speak any of the languages translated in this issue? Agree that literary translation is important? Ever heard of Asymptote before? Want to know more about what it's like working for them (they’re looking for more volunteers!)? Let me know in the comments!
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P.S. I am but a minnow, and I have no intentions of powering down anytime soon. HOWEVER when I do, I will be donating at least a portion of my earnings (definitely more than this post will bring in) to Asymptote as they run entirely on donations and can always use financial support. Give this a like to support them and their mission!