#207 The Art and Business of Literary Translation with Dr. B.J. Woodstein

SlatorPod

Dr. B.J. Woodstein, Professor, Translator, and Writer, joins SlatorPod to talk about translation theory and its implications for literary translators, while also shedding light on the professional challenges, nuances, and ethical considerations.
B.J. discusses her upcoming book, “Translation Theory for Literary Translators”, where she aims to demystify translation theory and make it accessible to translators. She highlights the need for translators to understand and engage with translation theory to enhance their work and make informed decisions in their practice.
The author shares insights on the market dynamics of literary translation, including how translators are selected, rates are set, and the challenges faced in the industry.
She highlights the importance of human intervention in translation, especially in handling linguistic nuances, cultural concepts, and editorial decisions that go beyond what AI or machine translation can achieve.
B.J. reflects on the linguistic and cultural challenges in translating from Swedish to English, such as dealing with different language structures and cultural nuances that may not easily be translated. She also explores the complexities of translating sensitive or explicit content, where decisions need to be made to maintain cultural authenticity while adapting for the target market.
The podcast concludes with B.J. sharing her current research projects on equality, diversity, and inclusion in higher education, as well as her interest in translating queer literature.

Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Academic and Professional Background (00:01:00)

3. Career in Translation (00:02:44)

4. Translation Theory for Literary Translators (00:04:26)

5. Translation Theory Overview (00:06:26)

6. How Translation Theory Influences Practice (00:07:49)

7. Cultural Variances in Children's Literature (00:10:24)

8. Cultural Adaptation Challenges (00:12:20)

9. Acting as a Mediator (00:15:34)

10. Importance of Confidentiality (00:17:40)

11. Market Dynamics and Rates (00:19:09)

12. Building Your Reputation (00:23:30)

13. Challenges of Marketing Yourself (00:26:45)

14. Linguistic Challenges in Literary Translation (00:28:40)

15. Cultural Challenges in Literary Translation (00:30:05)

16. Role of AI in Literary Translation (00:32:03)

17. The Artistry of Literary Translation (00:34:59)

18. Literary Translation Complexity (00:36:55)

19. Current and Future Research Projects (00:39:45)