Translation of literary texts
Literary text translation mainly comprises the translation of fiction.
Literary translation differs from other types of translation. The style of expression, the harmony and fluency of language are some of the main aspects of literary translation. One has to take into consideration the culture and the environment of the target language. By combining the above-mentioned conditions, the text in the target language should preserve the ideas and message, the style, emotions, beliefs and stylistic expression contained in the source text, written by the author.
The translator should perfectly feel both the languages and cultures, he or she should possess a rich vocabulary, as well as a writers’ or poets’ talent. In a way, literary translation is the creation of a new piece of work while maintaining the style and the reflection of cultural values of the source text. At the same time, he or she should create a harmonious literary work, understandable in the target language and culture, possessing the correct rhythm and flow of the wording.
While performing the translation of a piece of fiction, the translator should be able to "read between the lines", as well as understand all the nuances of the language, culture, and the author's message. During the translation process it is important to obtain information about the author, the environment and the time when the work was written. In the light of all the said information, the translator starts to "reconstruct" the source text, maintaining everything contained in the original idea, simultaneously creating the feeling of the reader that he or she is not reading a translation, but a work of fiction written in the target language.
Fiction helps us build our social thinking and thus also the culture of mankind. Literary works contain numerous cultural contexts, such as the rhymes and rhythm, similes and metaphors, etc. All these features make up an important and integral part of each culture, often inherited and based on beliefs and customs. No literary work is imaginable without these aspects. In literary translation these features are the most difficult to translate, and in this respect the translator should be a genuine artist able to find the appropriate equivalent in the target language.
For the translation of works of fiction we choose creative translators possessing specialization and experience in literary translation.
Literary text types:
- Books of different types and themes, including children's books and illustrative materials;
- Novels, stories, tales, short stories, essays, plays, etc.;
- Scientific literature;
- Journalism;
- Popular science articles etc.