Friday Finds: English PEN Launches Zine for International Writing
The new zine, called PEN Transmissions, promises to feature a new themed issue each month, “featuring original writing and interviews” from around the world.
On Translation
Sunday Submissions: ArabLit Story Prize
This is a reminder that there is no minimum word count, and that flash and microfiction are particularly welcome.
Sunday Submissions: ‘PEN Translates’ Open Through May 31
“The main criteria for assessment are: literary quality, strength and innovation of the publishing project, and contribution to literary diversity in the UK.”
Egyptian Revolution Novel ‘Cigarette No. 7’ Finally in Translation
“It’s not consciously about defeat. It’s about choices, unforgettable moments, unfinished dreams and projects, including that of the revolution.”
‘But What About Fidelity?’: Moving Beyond Translation’s ‘Christian Metaphysics’
“But what about fidelity? What about faithfulness to the original? Those who want to talk about faith are welcome to, but to do so returns us needlessly to a world of Christian metaphysics. Let us talk about works, not faith.”
Why Raja Alem is Publishing ‘Sarab’ in Translation Before She Publishes in Arabic
“Arabic is my center. I am very sensitive to the words, and up until now I cannot find the right words to capture this story, this wound. I feel I need to rewrite this book in some new Arabic, after taking a distance.”
On Translating Punctuation, or the Difference a ?! and a ….. Make
“Often, connectors in Arabic become punctuation marks in English – both function to break up a sentence into understandable sections[.]”
Amir Tag Elsir’s ‘Ebola ’76’ and Ghayath al-Madhoun’s ‘Adrenaline’ Make Best Translated Book Award 2018 Longlists
The finalists for both the fiction and poetry awards will be announced on Tuesday, May 15, with the winners set to be announced on Thursday, May 31.
A Sudanese Celebration of Sarah Maguire (1957-2017), Founder of the Poetry Translation Centre in London
“Sarah’s commitment to translation of poets from southern nations began when she was sent by the British Council in 1996 to Palestine. Through engagement with poets around the world, she developed the determination to fight the notion of ‘otherness’. Sarah chaired the workshops in the same inclusive spirit, and taught me much, and not only about translation.”