| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Would you like to be a literary translator? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Would you like to be a literary translator?".
This poll was originally submitted by María Carda. View the poll results »
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Yes and No
Yes, I would love to test my literary and writing skills. And, I have this impression of the literary translator reclining on a deckchair in the garden sipping a G&T with ice and lemon (Egad, what else!) under a parasol and scribbling or typing away when some creative thought springs to mind.
However, reality creeps in or hits you with a ghastly thud!
No, because it probably wouldn't pay the bills.
But, then 'gentlemen of leisure' d... See more Yes and No
Yes, I would love to test my literary and writing skills. And, I have this impression of the literary translator reclining on a deckchair in the garden sipping a G&T with ice and lemon (Egad, what else!) under a parasol and scribbling or typing away when some creative thought springs to mind.
However, reality creeps in or hits you with a ghastly thud!
No, because it probably wouldn't pay the bills.
But, then 'gentlemen of leisure' don't have bills, do they. Jeeves, would you be a good chap and bring me another G&T, old sport? 
Sigh...back to reality. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Retirement plan | Jun 2, 2016 |
It doesn't look too promising for right now but I would one day love to be a literary translator, just like in Julian's dream sequence.
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Like Julian, I would love to test my literary and writing skills, but me too I have bills...
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 04:31
Spanish to English
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| Other - occasionally | Jun 2, 2016 |
I don't mind having the odd bash at literary material or what I call 'arty' texts (poetry, interior design puffs, art catalogues and articles). I sort of classify them all together, as they take more time than the more straightforward business, academic or technical texts that make up the meat and potatoes of my translation work.
However, I don't think I'd like to concentrate on translating only literary material, which I feel is an area calling for particular dedication and specialisation... See more I don't mind having the odd bash at literary material or what I call 'arty' texts (poetry, interior design puffs, art catalogues and articles). I sort of classify them all together, as they take more time than the more straightforward business, academic or technical texts that make up the meat and potatoes of my translation work.
However, I don't think I'd like to concentrate on translating only literary material, which I feel is an area calling for particular dedication and specialisation. For example, last year I was asked to translate a text like this, but at the time I was really busy with my usual jobs and knew I wouldn't have the time necessary to do it properly, so I passed it on to someone I thought would do a good job of it. The deadline was long and flexible, so she took about six months, but turned out a very good draft eventually. I spent a couple of hours tweaking it before delivery and in the end the client was happy, my colleague was happy for the extra work, and I retained my reputation for delivering the quality required.
I currently have about 4000 words to translate in a similar vein (a series of witty aphorism or maxims in the style of La Rochefoucauld) but as the deadline is again long and flexible, I've started doing it myself. If I find my other work piling up, I might farm it out again, but I'd rather keep on doing it myself, as I find it enjoyable without the usual deadline pressure of more "normal" texts. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Catherine De Crignis (X) 
France
Local time: 04:31
English to French
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| Not really... | Jun 2, 2016 |
...since I don't believe it's a luxury those with a family to feed can afford.
| | | | Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
United States
Local time: 19:31
Spanish to English
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I answered "Yes," because I have really enjoyed any opportunities I've had in that arena, but of course it doesn't pay the bills - as everyone else has noted.
| | | | KKastenhuber
Austria
Local time: 04:31
Russian to German
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It's what motivated me to become a translator in the first place, but it's hard to get a foot in that door (plus, the money issue others have mentioned). I've tried my hand at a Spanish children's book once, but never felt confident enough to approach a publishing house with it. I still dream about it though.
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| Doesn't pay the bills??? | Jun 2, 2016 |
I know some literary translators and they're not short of a few bob. It may pay less per word but those words can be very straightforward.
There is literary and literary, of course. These guys are translating Nordic Noir thrillers, not the Bible.
It doesn't appeal to me, though. I prefer to churn out black-and-white texts with minimal involvement of brain cells and then go out and have some fun.
| | | | Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:31
Russian to English
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In memoriam | Already am one | Jun 2, 2016 |
Well, my biggest earnings last tax year came from translating two novels, and if you count magazine articles and news stories as literature, over half my earnings came from it. So far I have translated six novels and am currently working on another. I have been lucky in having a good friendly relationship with all my authors (with one exception, but I told that tale only the other day in a poll about customers we refused to work with again, so I won't re-tell it here). They all pay immediately a... See more Well, my biggest earnings last tax year came from translating two novels, and if you count magazine articles and news stories as literature, over half my earnings came from it. So far I have translated six novels and am currently working on another. I have been lucky in having a good friendly relationship with all my authors (with one exception, but I told that tale only the other day in a poll about customers we refused to work with again, so I won't re-tell it here). They all pay immediately after I complete each chapter (though the contract allows 30 days). If I could devote myself entirely to translating fiction, I would happily do so, ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 04:31
Member (2006)
German to English
| Katrin Bosse (X)
Germany
Local time: 04:31
Dutch to German
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| Other - Yes and No | Jun 2, 2016 |
Yes - I already am a literary translator in the broadest sense of the word because from where I'm sitting, I am looking at a whole meter of books I translated (cookbooks, travel books, books on art, gardening/landscaping, architecture/design, floral design, wine, handicrafts etc.) as well as 15 years worth of articles (of the non-technical kind) for Reader's Digest (don't hate on it until you've tried it!).
So, been there, done that. But "real" literature? That brings me to:... See more Yes - I already am a literary translator in the broadest sense of the word because from where I'm sitting, I am looking at a whole meter of books I translated (cookbooks, travel books, books on art, gardening/landscaping, architecture/design, floral design, wine, handicrafts etc.) as well as 15 years worth of articles (of the non-technical kind) for Reader's Digest (don't hate on it until you've tried it!).
So, been there, done that. But "real" literature? That brings me to:
No. I have recently spent a year intensely studying Germany's literary translator community, going to several meet-ups and monitoring their exchanges on various platforms/forums. Therefore, I can safely say: I wouldn't be able to pay my bills doing what they do. And I would probably go mad working only on the literary effusions of one single person over a stretch over several months. I am quickly bored. ▲ Collapse
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| Depends what kind of literature | Jun 2, 2016 |
More or less straight narrative, with the odd word-play and, of course, the need to find le mot juste, and rephrase or adapt to target culture, is a genre I enjoy.
I am strangely tone deaf to poetry. I like Shakespeare, but not because of the pentameters. I find some kinds of rhyme are simply irritating, and a lot of the other devices leave me cold. I would not be good at translating it, and would not enjoy it.
I am not good at long jobs either, so I would probab... See more More or less straight narrative, with the odd word-play and, of course, the need to find le mot juste, and rephrase or adapt to target culture, is a genre I enjoy.
I am strangely tone deaf to poetry. I like Shakespeare, but not because of the pentameters. I find some kinds of rhyme are simply irritating, and a lot of the other devices leave me cold. I would not be good at translating it, and would not enjoy it.
I am not good at long jobs either, so I would probably never get to the end of a novel. Short stories that were not too 'minimalistic' and post-modern or whatever might definitely be fun. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mónica Algazi
Uruguay
Local time: 23:31
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
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But it has to be books I like myself (does that sound unprofessional?)
As others have mentioned it is not easy to break into that area - and not well paid.
I am also more into detail and accuracy than creative writing.
However, I sometimes come across books that I would just lovvv to translate, and in that case I believe I would do a good job.
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