The Art of Translation: Monica Lavin and D.P. Snyder

Author Monica Lavin and translator D.P. Snyder

"Translation is not a word for word, grain for grain process. It's an art." So said D.P. (Dorothy) Snyder at a recent event sponsored by the Hermitage Artist Retreat. Having learned about her process of translating Monica Lavin's work, I am on board with including translators -- at least the best ones -- within the definition of an artist. 

Snyder explained that it's the job of the translator to capture not only the meaning, but the feeling of the words on the page. Her goal is to feel the same way she did when she read the book in its original language. She asks herself, "Does it make my heart beat the same way? Do the same things surprise me or make me cry?" If not, there's more work to be done.

It's also important that the translation doesn't sound like, well, a translation. The narrative must flow in the same way. And the words must evoke their intended meaning. Sometimes that means leaving words in their original language. Snyder gave an example in which she struggled with translating the word "honey" (the term of endearment, not the sugar) from English to Spanish. After much consideration, she landed on the word "dear." Close, but no cigar. So she left "honey" in the text. After all, readers could always use google to translate if it was a word with which they are not familiar. As she talked about this decision, I could see how carefully she had considered what might seem to be an insignificant choice. But capturing the nuances is required if the translation is going to be true to the original text. 

Lavin has been an active participant in Snyder's process. The relationship between the two women began years go when Snyder contacted Lavin about translating one of her books. Since then, they have become good friends in addition to work partners. While being friends isn't crucial for a good translation, it certainly helps the translator get on the same wavelength as the author. It also facilitates the author's involvement in the translation process when a particularly thorny issue comes up. This availability isn't a given. Some authors have moved on to their next project and don't have the time (or the interest) to work with a translator. The book might be being translated into 19 different languages and having the author involved isn't practical. Or, of course, the author might be dead. This last scenario is particularly challenging, with more than the usual amount of research being required.

Snyder is herself a writer of short stories and, in a surprise plot twist, Lavin has translated some of those stories into Spanish. It was yet another thing the women talked about when they were hunkered down at the Hermitage during Tropical Storm Debby. I can envision it now. Two writers, alone in an unfamiliar environment with a storm raging outside. Candles have been lit in case the power gives out. They huddle together talking about language and the art of translation. They talk about their lives. And they wish they knew where the wine was kept. Needless to say, living through this intense experience together deepened their relationship even more. 

By the end of the talk, I had a much greater appreciation of how intricate the translation process is. It  made me wonder about the accuracy of translations in live situations. How can the subtleties of language be communicated when translators have no time to contemplate their word choices? I always laugh when watching an interview with a Spanish speaking baseball player after a game when the player answers a question with a long string of words and the translator responds, "Yes, he was happy with that play" or something similar. Of course, there's nothing at stake there. But what about in the context of international relations?  What is getting lost in the translation?  It's not hard to imagine how the lack of nuance could become an issue. Just something else to chew on when you're awake in the middle of the night. 

Thanks to the Hermitage for sponsoring another fun and thought-provoking event. And I neglected to mention that the event was appropriately held at Bookstore1. Support your local independent bookstore, whether you're buying a work in translation or the latest beach read. It makes a difference.