It's Lit in Translation

Evelyn Heis (@amuchneededbreak)

Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation, the podcast celebrating literature in translation and the people who make it possible. Each episode features an interview with translators from around the world about the books they bring into English, the creative choices behind their work, and what it truly means to carry a story from one language to another.

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Avg 1 hr 16 min
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S1 · E16
Sunday · 1 hr 15 min
Iliana Franco Alvarenga on inguistic resistance, cosmoperceptions, and translating Guaraní
Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, Guaraní translator and linguistic activist Iliana Franco Alvarenga joins the pod to discuss the Guaraní language, Paraguayan Spanish, and the complexities of translating between languages shaped by colonial histories. Iliana takes us through her relationship with Guaraní and her journey into translation, exploring the history of the language and the concept of linguistic pain, the generational trauma created when children are punished for speaking their mother tongue, and how this history can continue to influence the way families perceive their own languages and efforts towards language revitalisation. Together, we also explore the relationship between language and power, from the influence of institutions such as the Royal Spanish Academy to the role of artificial intelligence in determining which varieties of language are represented and prioritised. We discuss the politics behind linguistic standardisation and what happens when one variety of a language becomes treated as the default. The conversation also turns towards the ethics of literary translation, including the question of whether translators should reconsider language in older works when the social meaning of certain words has changed. We discuss the responsibility translators have towards their readers, authors, and the communities whose languages and cultures they are bringing into another linguistic context. Iliana also reflects on the invisibility of translators, sharing a particularly powerful moment from a book fair where she instinctively stepped behind the author she was translating, only for the author to take her hand and bring her forward. We explore what this reveals about the position translators have historically occupied within publishing, and the importance of recognising them as equal creative collaborators. Finally, Iliana shares her advice for aspiring translators, from learning to move away from the literal word to embracing rejection and accepting that every translation will inevitably contain something that only the translator notices. This is a fascinating conversation about language, power, colonialism, and the role translation can play in both preserving and challenging the ways we understand different cultures and their histories. I also loved learning more about how Guaraní operates as a language, and chatting through different examples of Guaraní cosmoperceptions that have traditionally been reduced on the page, and therefore have been lost, in translation. Iliana's approach to translating an indigenous language that exists beyond the page and working between the two worlds she inhabits is incredibly fascinating. — You can purchase a copy of We Are Green and Trembling by Gabriela Cabezon Camara, translated from Spanish by Robin Myers, which features Iliana's Guaraní translations, here: ⁠https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast⁠ — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠https://uppbeat.io/⁠ Photo Credit: Iliana Franco Alvarenga
S1 · E15
August 13 · 1 hr 16 min
Angela Rodel and Joanna Elmy on writing and co-translating Born of Guilt
Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, Bulgarian novelist Joanna Elmy and International Booker Prize-winning translator Angela Rodel join the pod to discuss Born of Guilt, Joanna’s debut novel, and the fascinating collaborative process behind bringing it into English. Joanna reflects on the origins of Born of Guilt, a multigenerational novel following three Bulgarian women as they navigate domestic violence, addiction, immigration, and the lasting impact of post-communist Bulgaria. We discuss how the novel grew from a single competition entry into an internationally published debut, and why it seeks to explore experiences that have often remained absent from the Bulgarian literary canon. We also dive into the unique process of co-translation, with Joanna and Angela sharing how they divided the novel between the different generations of narrators in order to best preserve each woman's distinctive voice. Together, they discuss the creative negotiations involved in translating dialect, register, and culturally specific language, from retaining uniquely Bulgarian words such as loza to subtly embedding historical context for English-language readers without interrupting the narrative. Together, we explore the novel's wider themes of inherited trauma, family, identity, and migration, as well as the myriad ways readers from across Europe have connected with its portrayal of life on the margins of the continent. Joanna and Angela also reflect on the evolving visibility of literary translators, share their favourite book and must-read Bulgarian book recommendations, and discuss why reading widely remains one of the most important foundations of the craft. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Joanna and Angela discuss the relationship between author and translator: learning how trust, collaboration, and paying close attention to voice shape every stage of bringing a novel into another language. — You can purchase a copy of Born of Guilt by Joanna Elmy, translated from Bulgarian by Joanna Elmy and Angela Rodel, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: Joanna Elmy and Angela Rodel
S1 · E14
July 31 · 1 hr 18 min
Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary on co-translation, solidarity, and Medea Sang Me a Corrido
Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, literary translators Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary join the pod to discuss their co-translation of Medea Sang Me a Corrido by Dalia de la Cerda, a powerful short story collection that explores gendered violence, resistance, and solidarity in contemporary Mexico. Julia and Heather take us through their respective journeys into literary translation, reflecting on the books, languages, and experiences that first drew them to the craft. We discuss the many unexpected paths into translation, from undergraduate research projects to multilingual upbringings, and how both of their careers evolved through a shared passion for literature across languages. We dive into their collaborative translation process, exploring the unique dynamics of co-translation and the creative possibilities that emerge when two translators work in conversation with one another. Julia and Heather share how they divided stories, revised each other's work, and navigated difficult translation decisions together, revealing how some of the book's most memorable moments were born through collaboration. (All roads go back to poodle) Together, we discuss the importance of preserving cultural specificity in translation, from retaining culturally embedded language to researching folklore, mythology, corridos, and contemporary Mexican popular culture. Julia and Heather reflect on the careful balance between accessibility and authenticity, explaining why leaving certain words untranslated is not only a stylistic decision but also part of the book's political and cultural project. We also explore Dalia de la Cerda's urgent and uncompromising writing, discussing the collection's engagement with violence against women, systemic inequality, and the networks of solidarity that offer hope amidst despair. Finally, Julia and Heather share their advice for emerging literary translators, speaking candidly about the realities of the profession, the importance of community, and why collaboration and transparency remain at the heart of literary translation. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Julia and Heather discuss translation as a collective act of care, curiosity, and creativity, and to gain a deeper understanding of the many conversations and decisions involved in bringing a politically charged work across languages. — You can purchase a copy of Medea Sang Me a Corrido by Dalia de la Cerda, translated from Spanish by Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast?&new-list-page=true&bkshp-astro=t — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary
S1 · E13
July 9 · 54 min
Pablo Strauss on eco-horror, migration, and bringing Quebecian literature into English
Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, literary translator Pablo Strauss joins the pod to discuss his translation of Horsefly by Mireille Gagné: an unsettling eco-horror novel that blends speculative fiction, historical narrative, and environmental anxiety into a wholly original reading experience. Published by New Cross Press in 2026, this marks the first title for their indie press. Pablo takes us through his journey into literary translation, reflecting on how a lifelong curiosity about languages and cultures eventually led him to Quebec, where an immersion in French literature paved the way for his career as a translator. We discuss the patience and persistence required to establish a career in literary translation, as well as the creativity and collaboration that underpin every stage of this process. We dive into his translation of Horsefly, exploring the novel's three interwoven timelines and its haunting exploration of climate change, memory, disease, and humanity's fragile relationship with the natural world. Pablo shares the fascinating challenge of translating the perspective of a horsefly, balancing an unfamiliar non-human voice with a tone that remains unsettling, lyrical, and believable for English-language readers. Together, we discuss the practical and creative decisions involved in translating a novel so deeply rooted in Quebec, from navigating regional expressions and cultural references to recreating the landscapes and atmosphere that shape the story. Pablo also reflects on the collaborative nature of literary translation, discussing the invaluable role editors and authors play in refining a translation and bringing a book to its fullest potential. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Pablo discuss translation as a process of curiosity, experimentation, and close attention, as well as the unique challenges of bringing an ambitious work of eco-horror across languages for a new readership. — You can purchase a copy of Horsefly by Mireille Gagné, translated from French by Pablo Strauss, here: https://newcrosspress.com/books/horsefly // https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation-podcast — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: Pablo Strauss
S1 · E12
June 29 · 50 min
Sophie Hughes on literary translation, rediscovering her passion for reading, and judging the 2026 International Booker Prize
Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, literary translator Sophie Hughes joins the pod to discuss her journey into translation, the craft of bringing literature across languages, and her experience serving as a judge for the 2026 International Booker Prize. Sophie takes us through her path into literary translation, reflecting on her early fascination with language and the profound influence of writers such as Samuel Beckett. We discuss her studies in comparative literature and translation, her early experiences working in publishing, and the serendipitous opportunity that eventually led her to translate her first book from Spanish. We dive into Sophie’s translation process, exploring the careful balance between fidelity and creativity that lies at the heart of literary translation. Sharing insights into her working methods, Sophie discusses the importance of reading a text multiple times, creating exploratory drafts, and collaborating closely with authors to capture not only the meaning of a work but also its rhythm, tone, and emotional texture. We discuss her translation of Vincenzo Latronico's Perfection, marking her debut Italian-language translation. Together, we discuss Sophie’s experience as a judge for the International Booker Prize and the transformative impact it had on her reading life. From reading more than 100 books in 6 months to discovering authors and genres she might otherwise never have encountered, Sophie reflects on how the process broadened her horizons and renewed her enthusiasm for reading new literatures. We also explored the changing role of translators within publishing, the growing visibility of translated literature, and why fiction from around the world continues to resonate so strongly with English-language readers. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Sophie discuss translation as both a practice of close reading and an act of creative writing, as well as the many ways literature allows us to encounter perspectives beyond our own. - You can purchase a copy of Vincenzo Latronico's Perfection and Fernanda Melchor's Hurricane Season, translated by Sophie Hughes, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Sophie Hughes
S1 · E11
June 17 · 1 hr 4 min
Kat Storace on photography, memory, and translating Before the Rocket
Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today’s episode, Maltese editor and literary translator Kat Storace joins the pod to discuss her translation of Loranne Vella's Before The Rocket. Kat also dives into her work of bringing Maltese literature to English-language readers as the co-founder of Praspar Press. Kat takes us through her journey into literary translation, reflecting on the unexpected path that led her into the field and the mentorship that helped shape her career. We discuss the co-founding of Praspar Press and the importance of creating space for Maltese literature within the English-speaking publishing world, as well as the opportunities and challenges involved in representing a literary culture that remains largely undertranslated. We dive into her translation of Before the Rocket, a genre-defying novel set in Malta in 2064 that blends speculative fiction with dystopian storytelling. Kat shares her experience of translating a work deeply concerned with photography, memory, and time, discussing the challenge of rendering vivid photographic descriptions for readers despite the absence of any actual images within the text. Together, we explore the novel’s themes of climate change, colonialism, community resilience, and the relationship between images and storytelling. We also discuss the practical and creative decisions involved in translating Maltese literature into English, from preserving culturally specific language and place names to balancing accessibility with a strong sense of the novel’s Maltese identity. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Kat discuss the role translation plays in expanding access to underrepresented literary traditions, as well as the many considerations involved in bringing a distinctly Maltese story to an international readership. — You can purchase a copy of Before The Rocket by Loranne Vella, translated by Kat Storace, here: https://www.praspar.com/product/before-the-rocket — Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/ Photo Credit: KT Bruce
S1 · E7
May 13 · 1 hr 43 min
Ross Benjamin on fascism, film, and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize
Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. This year, in collaboration with the International Booker Prize, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing the shortlisted panel of translators ahead of this year’s Prize announcement. In today’s episode, award-winning translator of German literature Ross Benjamin joins the pod to discuss his translation of The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize. Ross takes us through his journey into literary translation, reflecting on his early encounters with translated literature through Grimm’s fairy tales, Bible stories, and French poetry, before eventually developing a deep connection to German language and literature. We discuss how translation became, for him, an extension of reading itself: a form of intense attentiveness that shaped both his literary sensibilities and his craft as a writer. We dive into his translation of Daniel Kehlmann's The Director, a historical novel centred on Austrian film director G.W. Pabst during the rise of the Nazi regime. Ross shares the challenges of translating a work that moves so deftly between horror, satire, absurdity, and psychological tension, discussing the importance of preserving the novel’s tonal volatility without over-amplifying or flattening its effects. We also explore the novel’s cinematic quality, the role of silence and hesitation in dialogue, and the moral questions surrounding complicity, artistic integrity, and self-deception under authoritarianism. Together, we discuss the delicate process of translating humour and historical voice, including Ross’s fascinating approach to the character Rupert Worcester, whose voice draws on the world of P.G. Wodehouse. Ross also reflects on the extensive research involved in the translation process, from watching archival footage and films to recreating the atmosphere of 1930s Europe for contemporary readers. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Ross discuss translation as a craft of calibration, revision, and close listening, as well as the role translated literature plays in preserving cultural difference and expanding the possibilities of reading beyond borders. - You can purchase a copy of The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated by Ross Benjamin, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: David Schloss
S1 · E9
May 10 · 1 hr 16 min
Padma Viswanathan on translating to build community and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize
Welcome to It’s Lit in Translation: the podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. This year, in collaboration with the International Booker Prize, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing the shortlisted panel of translators ahead of this year’s Prize announcement. In today’s episode, Canadian-American writer and literary translator Padma Viswanathan joins the pod to discuss her translation of On Earth as It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize. Padma takes us through her journey into literary translation, reflecting on her early exposure to translation through the Bhagavad Gita and the role language and literature have played throughout her life. We discuss how her interest in Brazil, through music and the Portuguese language, gradually evolved into a translation practice, as well as the many experiences that shaped her approach to language, close reading, and storytelling. We dive into her translation of On Earth as It Is Beneath, discussing the challenge of capturing the swiftness, atmosphere, and intensity of Ana Paula Maia’s prose while preserving the novel’s striking visual and emotional force. Padma shares her thoughtful translation philosophy, including her decision to avoid footnotes in favour of maintaining the reader’s immersion, and reflects on the delicate balance between cultural specificity and readability in translated literature. Together, we explore the novel’s themes of violence, morality, confinement, religion, and power, unpacking the symbolic connections between the penal colony and the former enslaved plantation at the centre of the text. We also discuss the humour and humanity that run throughout the novel, and the importance of allowing readers to fully inhabit the world of the book without interruption. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Padma discuss translation as both a craft and an art form, as well as the attentiveness, confidence, and care required to bring a literary work into another language. - You can purchase a copy of On Earth As It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated by Padma Viswanathan, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Alex Tram
S1 · E8
May 9 · 2 hr 1 min
Lin King on colonialism, food as politics, and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize
Welcome to It's Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. This year, in collaboration with the International Booker Prize, I've had the privilege of interviewing the shortlisted panel of translators ahead of the Prize announcement. In today's episode, writer and literary translator from Taiwan, Lin King, joins the pod to discuss her translation of the IBP-shortlisted novel, Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ. Based between Taipei and New York, Lin takes us through her journey into literary translation, reflecting on growing up between languages, discovering literature through translation, and the path that eventually led her to champion Taiwanese voices in the Anglophone world. We dive into the layered complexities of translating Taiwan Travelogue, discussing the challenge of preserving historical specificity, cultural nuance, and the novel’s rich culinary vocabulary while making the text accessible to English-language readers. Lin shares her thoughtful approach to footnotes, the importance of retaining the texture of Taiwanese history within the novel, and the many considerations involved in translating a work so deeply rooted in language, colonialism, and memory. Together, we explore the novel’s themes of tourism, empire, food, and power, unpacking the uneasy dynamics between cultural appreciation and appropriation that emerge throughout the text. We also discuss the book’s queer undercurrents, the symbolism of travel and infrastructure, and the role fiction can play in fostering empathy and transcending borders. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Lin discuss her translation process and to learn about the many steps that took place for us to access this novel in English. - You can purchase a copy of Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ (published by And Other Stories) and translated by Lin King from Mandarin, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Annette An-Jen Liu
S1 · E7
May 6 · 1 hr 23 min
Izidora Angel on translation as migration, art birthing more art, and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize
Welcome to It's Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. This year, in collaboration with the International Booker Prize, I've had the privilege of interviewing the shortlisted panel of translators ahead of the Prize announcement. In today's episode, writer and literary translator from Bulgarian, Izidora Angel, joins the pod to discuss her translation of the IBP-shortlisted novel, She Who Remains by Rene Karabash. Taking us through her early life as a Bulgarian immigrant living in the United States, Izidora shares about her upbringing in between two cultures and languages. Later on, this straddling between the two is what would lead her to pursue translation, bringing over Bulgarian literature into English in a similar journey of migration. We dive into her translation of the IBP-shortlisted She Who Remains, which is a compelling and hallucinogenic stream-of-consciousness novel about the ways female autonomy is hindered under patriarchy. Izidora described her process of reading and translating this novel as a very physically reactive one, in which She Who Remains creates a universe for you to experience and ask yourself questions about lies/truths, woman/man, good/bad, and who dictates these quandaries. Given that this is a novel about gender transformations, it was extremely fascinating to hear about the challenges involved with the original, given that Bulgarian is a very gendered language, and about the creative liberties Izidora undertook to capture the same captivating effect in English. We also spoke about Izidora's own writing and her involvement with Third Coast Translators Collective: an international community of literary translators in Chicago, and about the benefits of community. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Izidora discuss her translation process and to learn about the many steps that took place for us to access this novel in English. - You can purchase a copy of She Who Remains by Rene Karabash (published by Peirene Press) and translated by Izidora Angel from Bulgarian, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation You can read an excerpt from Izidora Angel's upcoming memoir, Solomon's Daughter, here: https://theamericanscholar.org/banana-yellow-trabants/ - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Izidora Angel
S1 · E6
May 4 · 1 hr 17 min
Jordan Stump on wandering through languages, the magic of time, and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize
Welcome to It's Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. This year, in collaboration with the International Booker Prize, I've had the privilege of interviewing the shortlisted panel of translators ahead of the Prize announcement. In today's episode, prolific and award-winning literary translator from French, Jordan Stump, joins the pod to discuss his translation of the IBP-shortlisted novel, The Witch by Marie Ndiaye. A professor of French at the University of Nebraska, Jordan takes us through his journey into literary translation: one that came merely by accident. We learn about his love for the French language and literature from a very early age, and how teaching Marie Ndiaye's work led him to pursue his translation of her latest seven works. We dive into his translation of IBP-shortlisted, The Witch, and how he had to become creative with the language to mimic the 'dreamlike' and 'uncanny' tone from the original, as well as some crow-shaped Easter eggs that later inform the plot. Sharing his in-depth process of producing his translation, we discussed some of the challenges he faced, particularly with bringing over the novel's cultural contexts and the history of French literary traditions that inform Marie's work that English readers might be less familiar with. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Jordan discuss his translation process and to learn about the many steps that took place for us to access this novel in English. - You can purchase a copy of The Witch by Marie Ndiaye (published by Quercus Books) and translated by Jordan Stump from French, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Jordan Stump
S1 · E5
May 1 · 47 min
Ruth Martin on voyaging through books, finding community, and being shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize
Welcome to It's Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. This year, in collaboration with the International Booker Prize, I've had the privilege of interviewing the shortlisted panel of translators ahead of the Prize announcement. In today's episode, prolific literary translator from German, Ruth Martin, joins the pod to discuss her translation of the IBP-shortlisted novel, The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar. Taking us through her journey into literary translation, having fallen in love with German during secondary school, and later on, pursuing a PhD in German literature, Ruth shares about her relationship with language and the possibility of reading in other languages as the driving force towards pursuing German. We also learn about her translation process for the IBP-shortlisted novel, The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran, and what enticed her to translate this work. We learn about Ruth's very immersive translation process, in which she cooked, listened to music, and thoroughly researched to immerse herself in the novel's Iranian-German setting. It is absolutely fascinating to hear Ruth discuss her translation process and to learn about the many steps that took place for us to access this novel in English. Consider this episode "the longest Translator's note ever!" - You can purchase a copy of The Nights are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar (published by Scribe UK) and translated by Ruth Martin from German, here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Michael Jershov
S1 · E4
April 28 · 1 hr 24 min
Megan McDowell on translation as an ongoing conversation
Welcome to It's Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today's episode, we were joined by Megan McDowell, a highly acclaimed American literary translator known for bringing contemporary Latin American and Spanish literature to English audiences. She is best known for translating the works of the most important Latin American writers working today, including Alejandro Zambra, Samanta Schweblin, and Mariana Enriquez. We spoke about her journey into literary translation and her 'non-traditional' route into publishing, which ultimately led her into translation. Megan shared how she began to work with the Spanish language, spent some time in Chile, and how her first translation gig came about. Diving into how her relationship with translation has changed since then, Megan sheds light on the alternative ways one can get started as a literary translator. Brenda Navarro’s Eating Ashes, published in 2025 by OneWorld, is her latest translation. We discussed the significance of not translating Spanish words in this translation as a signalling of isolation for the main character, alongside the symbolism behind the narrator's unnamed status. A novel that deals with racism and xenophobia that Latin American immigrants are exposed to within Europe, Megan highlights the importance of language to capture this experience. Megan also takes us through her translation process, in which translation transcends working from one language into another and becomes a transformative act that captures the emotions and sentiment of the original in another language. Lastly, we spoke about her role in translating the most important Latin American writers working today, from Alejandro Zambra and Samanta Schweblin to Mariana Enriquez, and how, for Megan, translation is never finished: there is never a 'right' or 'faithful' way to produce a text, when the craft itself is an ongoing conversation between writers, readers, cultures, literatures, and translators. - Eating Ashes by Brenda Navarro (published by OneWorld publications), translated from Spanish by Megan McDowell, is available to buy through here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/it-s-lit-in-translation/ - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Megan McDowell
S1 · E3
March 27 · 1 hr 14 min
Richard Village on the joy of learning languages, the city as character, and launching Foundry Editions
Welcome to It's Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today's episode, we were joined by Richard Village: linguist, editor, literary translator, and founder of Foundry Editions. Guiding us through his love for languages in school and the passion that followed him well into his 50s, until he decided to pursue a Master's in literary translation, only to realise his dream had been to start a publishing house instead. Thus, Foundry Editions was born. We discussed his translation of Esther Garcia Llovet's Spanish Beauty and how he serendipitously encountered this title long before he intended to publish and, consequently, translate it. Richard takes us through his process of falling in love with literature where the city is a character in and of itself, and his relationship to Esther's novels and their exploration of British-Spanish social dynamics. We also discussed his translation of Sánchez, Esther's second novel, and what it was like to return to her cinematic depictions of the underside of Spanish cities. Lastly, Richard takes us through his first translation from Italian, Michele Masneri’s Paradiso, which is coming in May 2026. Taking us through Foundry's upcoming titles for the rest of 2026, Richard lets us into the mind of an editor and publisher, illustrating how many of these responsibilities overlap when it comes to translating and publishing novels. Foundry Editions was founded in 2023 out of a love of three things: a love for discovering and sharing new voices, a love for the Mediterranean and the people and lands that surround it, and a love of internationalism and reading across borders. To stay up to date with Foundry Editions' publications, why not purchase one of their book subscriptions? Find out more today: https://www.foundryeditions.co.uk/subscribe Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 02:56 - Richard's first encounter with translation 06:23 - Richard's love for languages 08:27 - On second chances, new beginnings, and changing careers at a later stage in life. The birth of Foundry Editions 13:40 - On languages and what Foundry Editions seeks to do 16:33 - Translator vs Editorial brain: who chooses what Foundry editions publish? 22:52 - Spanish Beauty 29:38 - On translating Spanish Beauty and working with Esther 26:53 - Working with the city as a character 36:55 - Sánchez 44:07 - What readers should take away from Esther's novels 47:59 - Paradiso 59:33 - Maps in Sánchez 01:01:24 - Footnotes in novels? The controversy unfolded 01:04:53 - How can one keep 4 languages active? 01:07:26 - Richard's book recommendations 01:09:44 - Any advice for literary translators or publishers? 01:13:38 - Baked beans x 01:13:49 - Farewell - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Richard Village
S1 · E2
February 27 · 1 hr 23 min
Ian Giles on decoding languages, using all the words, and translating Bloody Awful in Different Ways
Welcome to It's Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In today's episode, we were joined by Ian Giles, the prolific translator who has brought over 40 Scandinavian titles into English. Guiding us through his experiences translating commercial fiction to the 2023 August Prize winner, Bloody Awful in Different Ways, he shares his valuable insight into what different texts require of him as a translator. We discussed his translation of Andrev Walden's Bloody Awful in Different Ways, delving into the challenges of translating a text that says a lot in not many words. Ian also takes us through his process translating non-fiction and autofictional works into English, and about the responsibility one assumes when embarking on a project where fact is almost always stranger than fiction. As Ian mentions, you can get a copy of Bloody Awful in Different Ways for the low low price of £9.99. Get yours today. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Ian's introduction 04:29 - Ian's first encounter with translation 07:48 - Ian's journey as a translator 11:37 - On developing a voice as a translator 15:16 - How Ian's translations have evolved 19:21 - Bloody Awful in Different Ways summary 20:20 - Translating Bloody Awful in Different Ways 30:42 - On tone and humour 34:45 - On childhood and child narrators 38:05 - Talking characters 41:57 - On translating non-fiction and biographies 49:50 - Involving the author in the translation process 55:30 - The 'Bloody Awful in Different Ways' Title 1:00:44 - Which characters were the most fun to work with? 1:05:00 - Translators and their magic hands 1:08:42 - On keeping multiple languages active 1:15:00 - Aspirational future projects 1:20:00 - Advice for aspiring literary translators - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Camila França.
S1 · E1
January 30 · 1 hr 8 min
Antonella Lettieri on literary translation, inventing the Duke's grammar, and the responsibility of translating a story
Welcome to It's Lit in Translation. The podcast that champions literature in translation and the people who make it possible. In our first episode, Italian translator Antonella Lettieri joins the pod to discuss her journey into literary translation. Guiding us through her path from commercial to literary translation, while explaining how to pitch yourself, Lettieri dives into her experience and offers invaluable advice for emerging translators. We discussed her translation of Matteo Melchiorre's epic novel, The Duke, in great depth, as well as her translation of Maria Grazia Calendrone's memoir, Your Little Matter. We spoke about her fascination with language from an early age, the sense of responsibility in translating non-fiction compared to a novel, and the importance of believing in one's work. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 01:12 - Antonella's introduction 01:54 - Childhood fascination with language 03:51 - Transitioning from commercial to literary translation 11:08 - Translating from Italian into English 16:28 - On producing translations 23:34 - The Duke 28:22 - Challenges in translation 33:15 - Working with Melchiorre 37:44 - The Duke summary and analysis 47:40 - How does literary translation work? 52:53 - Translation process for Your Little Matter 54:08 - Your Little Matter summary 01:01:47 - Which translated fiction novel would you highly recommend to listeners? 01:04:01 - Advice for literary translators - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/el-depravo/tarnished-rose Photo Credit: Megan Taylor

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