Unhuman Culture Book

Edith Grossman, renowned Spanish-to-English literary translator, has taken on the challenge of explaining why translation matters. She scarcely mentions non-literary translation, so a better title would be: Why does literary translation matter?

Another book on the subject of translation is "Is that a Fish in your Eye?" by David Bellos. He does discuss other forms of translation, such as business translation, and offers a good explication of Google Translate, which is clearly not on Ms. Grossman's radar screen.

Both books are extended essays on the art, value, and essence of translation. Both are thoughtful, philosophical, and replete with intriguing references.

Both make the point that without translated literature, we would be deprived of access to world literature with all of its cultural treasures. Ms. Grossman points out that only 2-3 percent of books published in the United States and the United Kingdom are literary translations. I regard this fact as a wonderful counter-argument to those who maintain that there is no value in studying foreign languages. Essentially, monolingual Americans are cut off from the vast majority of global literary production, even if the most prodigious classics are available.

Ms. Grossman explains the enormous challenge posed by the task of "bringing over" works of prose and poetry into English. She devotes a chapter to her experience translating Cervantes' "Don Quixote" and a separate chapter to her approach to a variety of poems, which are reproduced in both Spanish and English. She offers a very persuasive case that literary translation is a highly creative endeavor worthy of more recognition. Consider this cri du coeur about the low standing of literary translators:

"Putting to the side for a moment the dire state of publishing or the lamentable tendency of too many publishers to treat translators cavalierly or dismiss them as irrelevant, the fact is that it is no wonder translators are so frequently ignored. We seem to be a familiar part of the natural landscape'so customary and commonplace that we run the risk of becoming invisible."

This reminds me of a passage in Ms. Grossman's own fine translation of "The Bad Girl" by Mario Vargas Llosa. A professional diplomatic translator/interpreter is counseling his protégé to abandon his foray into literary translation: "Your livelihood is at risk. A literary translator aspires to be a writer: that is, he's a frustrated pencil pusher. Somebody who'll never be resigned to disappearing into his work, as good interpreters do. Don't renounce your status as a nonexistent gentleman, dear friend, unless you wish to end up a clochard."

This book represents Ms. Grossman's rejoinder.