Event 98 Saturday 13 March 2.30pmAl Ras 3Literature’s translators enable the reader of one culture to experience the creativity of another. A successful translation can create a whole new readership for the author and can have an integrity of its own. A poor translation can prevent the author reaching a wider audience and, at worst, can harm the author’s reputation irreparably. A huge amount of trust is required of the author and immense responsibility rest with the translator. Sometimes that trust is at arm’s length and the two parties never meet – or speak, even. Sometimes writer and translator work side by side, evolving the translation together.

Today we are delighted to bring together two bestselling authors with their respective and highly regarded translators. Yann Martel’s award-winning novel, Life of Pi, has been translated from English into Arabic by Samer Abou Hawwash. Abdo Khal’s Spewing Sparks as Big as Castles has been translated from Arabic into English by Anthony Calderbank. Neither author has met his translator until now; neither author speaks the other’s first language. Joining them will be Denys Johnson Davies whose work both as a writer and a translator is renowned throughout the world. Join them for a candid discussion about the challenges and responsibilities of being a translator and how the author feels about ‘handing over’ his book – and only being able to know from other people’s feedback whether it’s ‘job well done’!

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