“Writing translated from other languages makes you see things differently,” says UK translator Daniel Hahn who will mine the Bologna Book Fair for gems to present to UK publishers for possible translation.

[…] “We have some bad habits in the English-speaking world. We may be better than anyone at cultural export, but where import is concerned we are a disgrace. In the world of children’s books, despite the great work of many in this room, things remain worse even than in the world of adult publishing…. Writing translated from other languages makes you see things differently…It isn’t less important for children, but more. How could it not be vital for readers who are uniquely open to explorations of their own language; how can it not be essential for readers who, just now, are beginning to define the horizons of their experiences of the world.”

Then, last fall, he explained to a live audience why, as a society, the UK would benefit from having more children’s books translated into English. For a young reader, stories should be as varied as possible and offer unexpected discoveries, stretching the mind and sympathies. He pointed out that many people have read The Swiss Family Robinson, Tintin, Pippi Longstocking, Asterix, or The Moomins, but that these books were written 100, 80, 60 or 40 years ago. Where are the books that have been happening since Hergé or Astrid Lindgren he asked?

“I am thinking about how we can make translating books for children something mainstream. I don’t think anyone has to get used to reading books in translation. There’s a strong sense when you get books in translation that people will be scared to read them. We have to get past this thing that other people are worried on our behalf. Children are certainly not afraid. What we need is to make it completely obvious to publishers and others that people don’t care whether a book is translated or not. I read lots of books in translation when I was a child and had no idea they were translated.”

We were all brought up on translated books, says Hahn—there used to be many more. More.

See: Publishing Perspectives

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