-----Original Message-----
From: On all aspects of Russia and the FSU
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robert Chandler
Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2011 9:25 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: BBC Dramatisation of LIFE AND FATE
Dear all,
Many of you will know that the BBC is about to do a long dramatisation of
Vasily Grossman's LIFE AND FATE. This is based on my translation of the
novel. This is a dramatization, not a reading, and therefore it does not
use only the words of my translation. Nevertheless, most episodes use a
large number of my words, and at least one - The Last Letter - uses few, if
any, words indeed that are not mine.
If you read through this press release, you will find credit duly given to
directors, producers, dramatizers, actors, composers and players of music.
There are no prizes for guessing who is not mentioned: the invisible
translator.
http://tennantnews.blogspot.com/2011/09/life-and-fate-press-release.html
Some of you will have noticed that this seemingly wilful ignoring of the
role of translators is a part of the culture of the BBC. If you listen to a
translated novel on the programme "Book at Bedtime", the translator is
usually credited after, on average, one in five episodes - whereas both
reader and adaptor will be mentioned after each episode. And it is the same
with all too many programmes.
Nowadays no respectable newspaper or journal treats translators in such a
cavalier manner. Why the BBC behaves in this way I do not know - but I
think it is important that we do what we can to change things. I'll be very
grateful to everyone who can write a brief letter of complaint. Here is an
email address:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
In the words of the Unesco Nairobi Recommendation on the Legal Protection of
Translators (1976), "the protection of translators is indispensable in order
to ensure translations of the quality needed from them to fulfil effectively
their role in the service of culture and development." In other words, if
translators remain as undervalued as they generally are, it is very
difficult for them to earn a living. And if it is difficult for them to
earn a living, it means that much good literature either gets translated
badly or does not get translated at all. Which is a loss for all of us.
All the best,
Robert
Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD
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