Translating Myself and Others

Translating Myself and Others is a collection of essays by Jhumpa Lahiri that explores the distinction between writing and translating, using Ovids myth of Echo and Narcissus and Aristotles Poetics to explore the theme of translation. It also considers the unique challenge of translating her own work from Italian to English and the pleasures of translating contemporary and ancient writers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Translating Myself and Others is a captivating collection of essays by Jhumpa Lahiri, a renowned writer and literary translator. In these deeply personal and introspective pieces, Lahiri delves into her evolving identity as both a translator and a writer in two languages. Through a nuanced and emotionally resonant lens, she explores the intricate distinction between writing and translating, drawing upon the myth of Echo and Narcissus to shed light on this complex process. Lahiri conducts a close reading of passages from Aristotle's Poetics, broadening her discussion to encompass writing, desire, and freedom. She also traces the theme of translation in Antonio Gramsci's Prison Notebooks and examines the popularity of Italo Calvinos works as translated authors.

Lahiri delves into the unique challenges of translating her own work from Italian to English, contemplating the question "Why Italian?" and the singular pleasures of translating contemporary and ancient writers. The collection features essays originally written in Italian and published in English for the first time, as well as essays written in English, showcasing Lahiri's lyrical and eloquently observed meditations on the art of translation as a sublime act of both linguistic and personal metamorphosis.

In Translating Myself and Others, Jhumpa Lahiri offers readers a profound exploration of the complexities and rewards of translation, showcasing her exceptional talent as a writer and translator. Her essays are a testament to the power of language to bridge cultural gaps and transform lives, and they will resonate with anyone who has ever pondered the beauty and complexities of cross-cultural communication.

Dimension: 203 x 133 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691238616