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Translated literature for the new year
This year looks like continuing the success of translated fiction. In the mainstream, Jo Nesbø has picked up the baton of Stieg Larsson with his Harry Hole books going from strength to strength including the announcement of a film to be directed by Martin Scorsese.
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Clerkenwell House of Detention, ghost tales and mummified cats
As well as serving drinks to revolutionaries, the original Crown Tavern pub on Clerkenwell Green has the dubious reputation of having exhibited a mummified cat. Apparently during the 17th Century the cat “which some mason of John or Richard’s reign had cruelly buried alive in one of the walls of St. James’s Church, used to [...]
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More Clerkenwell history: the Russian connection and a musical coal man
Where would you find Russian revolutionaries in the early 1900s? The biographies of the future leaders of the Soviet Union show that they were men well travelled as it was not easy to organise left-wing parties in Tsarist Russia, and radicals were often forced into exile. I wrote last week about Clerkenwell’s radical history, and [...]
Posted in Clerkenwell, Clerkenwell history, literature, London, Russian Leave a comment
Is this the new ‘age of translation’?
This year has seen literary translation hit new prominence on the news and feature pages. Earlier this week the BBC marked the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, noting how its turns of phrase have permeated everyday English: The Sun says Aston Villa “refused to give up the ghost”. Wendy Richard calls her EastEnders [...]
Posted in literature, localisation, Stieg Larsson, translation 1 Comment
Clerkenwell Green: radical centre & relaxing spa springs
Clerkenwell as a haven from the urban bustle? It may be hard to believe it now, but Clerkenwell was once considered to be a country retreat from the city. King John stayed for a break in the Clerkenwell Priory in 1212. The area was also renowned for its relaxing spa springs and pleasure gardens during [...]
Posted in Clerkenwell, Clerkenwell history 1 Comment
Clerkenwell history: ghosts, cows, medical monks and revolution
Ever wondered what lies behind the name of the area you live or work in, what history is held by the streets you tread daily? In a rush to get around much of the time we remain unaware of the dramas of the past. Our office is based in Clerkenwell, a busy part of central [...]
Posted in Clerkenwell, Clerkenwell history, London 3 Comments
Brazil, Russia, India, China: BRICs in the wall of recovery?
Pic: By Ricardo Stuckert/PR (Agência Brasil [1]) [CC-BY-2.5-br], via Wikimedia Commons Will translation rescue London businesses from the morass of the UK economy? A report today by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows a difficult last few months for London business, but concludes that part of the solution is reaching out globally to [...]
Posted in Brazil, business growth, Chinese, India, overseas markets, recession, Russian 1 Comment
Celebrate International Translation Day 2011 with our e-card
“Bridging Cultures” is the theme of today’s International Translation Day, and this year we have again produced a free e-card for you to download or pass on.
Posted in International Translation Day 1 Comment
Translation and the meaning of everything?
I like this video promoting a witty new book about translation: It’s a brilliant introduction to the sort of conundrums that can crop up in translating even the most “common sense” concepts.
Posted in foreign language, literature, translation 1 Comment
Translating luxury brands into global success