Translation is a doomed enterprise, believes Jerry Pinto, the Windham-Campbell Prize-winning poet, writer, editor and translator. It is difficult to get local flavours across to the reader, and the peculiar idioms of the original are often lost.
<img title="Jerry Pinto" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2016/aug/29Jerry-Pinto-1.jpg" alt="Jerry Pinto" /> Jerry Pinto
But yet, the author wants you to know, he will keep trying. In an event being hosted by Godrej India Culture Lab this week, Pinto will touch on the various challenges of translating. And he's the best man for the job.
Pinto's first translation was Sachin Kundalkar's eponymous debut novel, Cobalt Blue, for which he received rave reviews. He then translated what is arguably the first Dalit autobiography in Marathi, Baluta, followed by Vandana Mishra's I, The Salt Doll, a book about the life of an actress in Bhangwadi theatre.
He is currently translating I Want to Destroy Myself by Mallika Amar Sheikh, the powerful autobiography of the Marathi poet and the story of her stormy relationship with Namdeo Dhasal. Besides his translaton work, Pinto is also well-known for his book, Em and the Big Hoom, which won him The Hindu Lit for Life award, the Crossword Award for Fiction and the Windham-Campbell Prize for Fiction.
The event is being held just before he sets off to Yale to receive the Windham-Campbell Prize.
On September 2, 5 pm onwards At Auditorium, first floor, Godrej ONE, Vikhroli (E). RSVP indiaculturelab@godrejinds.com

Translation is a doomed enterprise, believes Jerry Pinto, the Windham-Campbell Prize-winning poet, writer, editor and translator. It is difficult to get local flavours across to the reader, and the peculiar idioms of the original are often lost

Author Jerry Pinto to discuss the perils of translating regional works into English

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Home / Lifestyle / Culture / Article / Author Jerry Pinto to discuss the perils of translating regional works into English

Author Jerry Pinto to discuss the perils of translating regional works into English

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