Comments on: Hell & Blood, Translated from Romanian by Christine Coleman

By: adrian ionita

adrian ionita — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:33:45 +0000

When I teamed up with Robert Fenhagen to initiate “Short Story,” both of us were confronted with the same questions. I do not believe that there is possible a “straight, faithful“translation. That does not mean that we do not try to do it, but some words, nuances and metaphors, idiomatic expressions, dialect or regionalisms used in the language, are just resistant or don’t impart themselves to a straight translation. Viewed from this point of view, a translation may look like an interpretation, a re-imagining, an adaptation or in extreme cases, a re-write or alteration of the text. Some writers perceive it like an ego busting test and reject anything that does not look like a “literary” translation. Often, they say that “it does not sound like me”. Then, of course, you look around for text written by writers “who sound like them”, and try to negotiate a compromise. I read stories, which sound, feel or look average in Romanian but once translated in English are amazing. And vice-versa. It has to do with the underlying structure of the language where cultural differences intersect or collide. At that, somehow deeper level, you can understand the authors’ intentions, even if you are not a native-speaking Romanian. Can you impose your personal views on other writers work? It depends. Some authors have the wonderful and liberating power to detach themselves from their own text. In this regard, American writers are less “narcissistic.” Culturally they are subjected to a larger degree of diversity and interethnic relationship than eastern –Europeans and this shows in their attitude. Since Prof. Dr. Lidia Vianu came on board with her great team of translators from The MA Programme for the Translation of the Contemporary Literary Text – (University of Bucharest) many of our questions related to the translated versions of the stories, were answered. It’s important that a writer and translator from an English speaking country work together with a counterpart from Romania and the author. This collaboration gives us all, a solid assurance and satisfaction and I’m so glad to have you on our team. Thank you, Adrian

By: Morgothya

Morgothya — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:19:28 +0000

Hello Mrs. Coleman, I wanted to let you know that I liked a lot your translation, the English version of my story It’s very expressive and it also keeps unaltered the atmosphere and the idea of the original version. I read both versions of Hell and Blood, yours and the edited one (by Robert Fenhagen), and I think both were very good. I’m also thrilled that you enjoyed reading my story - I hope that maybe in the future we’ll do this one more, or maybe I’ll translate some of your works in Romanian… All the best wishes and thank you for the interest!
Cristina Nemerovschi (Morgothya)

By: Morgothya

Morgothya — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:24:18 +0000

Hello Mrs. Coleman, I want to let you know that I liked a lot your translation, the English version of my story It’s very expressive and it also keeps unaltered the atmosphere and the idea of the original version. I read both versions of Hell and Blood, yours and the edited one (by Robert Fenhagen), and I think both were very good. I’m also thrilled that you enjoyed reading my story I hope that maybe in the future we’ll do this one more, or maybe I’ll translate some of your works in Romanian… All the best wishes and thank you for the interest!
Cristina (Morgothya)

By: Wuthering Vampires boost sales at Tesco | ChristineColeman.net

Wuthering Vampires boost sales at Tesco | ChristineColeman.net — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:40:35 +0000

[...] vote. Back to the subject of vampires, I’ve just realised that today’s topic links nicely with my previous one: Romania is the home of the first ever vampire, Vlad Dracula. so I’ve spent an entertaining [...]

By: admin

admin — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:14:07 +0000

Hello Morgothya
Unfortunately I can’t understand your comment so you will have to ask someone to translate it into English if you want me to know what you’ve said!
Thank you
Christine

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Mrs. Christine Coleman despre povestirea Iad si sange | Morgothya — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:31:23 +0000

[...] Autoarea marturiseste ca a fost o experienta interesanta, cu atat mai mult cu cat nu vorbeste romana – daca sunteti interesati cum a tradus totusi povestirea, aflati aici. [...]