Night: Attention, Serendipity, and Hope in Language and Life

What can literary translation teach us about life? How does our attention to language generate hope and lead to new opportunities? In this episode of Backlit, writer and translator Marguerite Feitlowitz joins me in generating ideas for deepening understanding and stimulating creativity, inspired by her translation of Ennio Moltedo’s groundbreaking collection, Night. Brimming with imagination, humanity, and hope, Marguerite’s work embodies the creative potential present in our use of language as a way to connect with one another across cultures.

Topics discussed:

• Challenges of literary translation
• What one learns from translating poetry
• Paying attention to language
• … and what it teaches us about paying attention
• How careful attention and serendipity lead to opportunities
• Documentary surreal
• Using literature as a springboard for learning about history and culture
• Triangle of hope — history, present, and creativity

Literary Translation Publishers & Resources:

• World Poetry
• Open Letter Books
• Words Without Borders
• Asymptote
• American Literary Translators Association
• PEN America Translation Committee

Links:

• Episode Webpage
• Purchase Night by Ennio Moltedo, translated by Marguerite Feitlowitz
• Other books by Marguerite Feitlowitz
• Author Website: Marguerite Feitlowitz