Why Translators Should Read Books in Translation

As translators, we read all the time. We read our source text, we read our translations. We re-read them, we proofread them. We do background research. We read in our source languages and in our target languages. It’s a lot. But I’d like to make the case for adding one more type of reading: read literary works in translation. Whether commercial or literary, translators are fundamentally writers. And good writers must be good readers. Reading works in translation will help you be a better translator, as well as contributing to the visibility of the industry.

First, let me be clear about what I mean by reading works in translation. I’m advocating for reading the world of literary translators, both in your language pair(s) and from any language into languages you read. If this isn’t something you do already, here are a few reasons to consider adding books in translation to your library holds list.

It’s Fun

This isn’t the most practical argument, but I put it first because in my opinion it’s probably the most compelling reasons. Looking for books in translation can help you to branch out of reading ruts and find some truly terrific books. I recommend finding a few translators whose work you particularly like and following them like you would a favorite author. You may find yourself reading in a new genre you wouldn’t normally pick up, whether science fiction or poetry, and you may find something new that you truly enjoy. Reading work translated from languages you don’t speak can be particularly fun. Because we are required to stay up to date on at least two cultures, it can be easy to forget how fun and fascinating it is to learn about a new culture through its literature. Pick something completely outside your comfort zone and see what you discover!

Gain New Tools

More practically, reading in translation can help you add to your translator’s toolbox. Seeing how other professionals handle thorny translation dilemmas, whether in your language pair or in another, can teach you new ways to tackle similar challenges. I particularly enjoy reading works that have been translated in my language pair (Spanish to English) but in the opposite direction. First, of course, it’s always a good idea to read widely in your source language. But by reading my language pair in the opposite direction I also have the chance to see how other translators have responded to challenges I see every day, but from the other direction. These could be tricky cultural differences or very specific words that are hard to translate accurately. Sometimes their solutions are effective, and sometimes they leave something to be desired, but either way they can help me improve my own work.

Break out of a Rut

Most working translators aren’t literary translators, so we consume a huge amount of text in our specialty industries. This can lead us to get stuck in ruts, writing jargon-filled, repetitive translations. I do a lot of work in the software industry, and I often find myself falling back on the same old ways of expressing the same idea or translating a phrase that comes up a lot, not because it’s the best choice but because it is what I’ve done before. Wide reading in multiple languages can help freshen up your arsenal of vocabulary and grammatical structures to keep your work clear and specific.

Support the Industry

Finally, the more we buy, download, and borrow books in translation, the more of a market there is for translated works. We’re all professionals working to raise the profile of the work we do, and one of the best ways we can contribute to that goal is to read the work of other translators.

So the next time you’re browsing the library catalog or wandering through your local bookstore, consider picking up something translated. I promise it’s worth your time.