In this blog, we will be celebrating the female pioneers of translation. We'll be acknowledging their valuable contributions to the field and acknowledging women who are making a significant impact in the translation industry today.
Translation is the art of converting written or spoken words from one language to another. It's a challenging task that requires not only a deep understanding of the source language, but also the ability to convey the intended meaning and tone of the text in the target language.
Throughout history, women have made significant contributions to the field of translation, and their work has paved the way for future generations of linguists!
Let’s jump in, by talking about some of the many female pioneers of the industry!
Helen Lowe-Porter
One of the most important pioneers was Helen Lowe-Porter, who lived from 1876 to 1963. Lowe-Porter was a German-to-English translator who was best known for her translations of the works of Thomas Mann, one of the most well-known German writers of the 20th century.
She helped to introduce Thomas’s work to English-speaking readers!
Constance Garnett
Another important female pioneer was Constance Garnett, who lived from 1861 to 1946.
Garnett was a prolific translator who translated more than 70 pieces of work from Russian into English, including some of the most important pieces of Russian literature such as Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment,” “The Brothers Karamazov,” and “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy.
Her translations helped to introduce Russian literature to English-speaking readers and played an important role in shaping the English Language canon!
Important Historical Translators
In addition to Constance and Helen, there are many other female translators who have made important contributions to the field. Like Edith Grossman, a renowned Spanish-to-English translator.
She translated Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Mario Vargas Llosa’s work, as well as many other important Latin American works.
Females in translation today
According to a study conducted by the European Union, women make up a massive 70% of all translators. This is a significant increase from just a few decades ago, when the industry was predominantly male.
There are many inspiring women who are making a significant impact in the translation industry today. For example, Marta Stelmaszak, a Polish-to-English translator and interpreter who has been recognized as one of the top 25 most influential people in the translation industry.
Meanwhile, Karen Tkaczyk is a French-to-English translator, who had been recognised for her work in the field of pharmaceutical translation.
In addition to these individual successes, there are also organizations and initiatives that are working to support women in the translation industry.
For example, The Women in Localization Group provides resources and support for women who work in the language industry.
The European Union has launched a program called “Translating Europe” that aims to promote the development of the translation industry in Europe, with a particular focus on promoting gender equality.
Conclusion
The female pioneers of translation have made invaluable contributions to the field, helping to introduce works of literature and ideas to new audiences and facilitate cross-cultural communication.
It is important to continue to support women working in the translation industry to ensure it remains vibrant, diverse, and inclusive.
Did you know?
We also have thousands of female translators on our books!
Happy International Womens Day!
Official website: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
Find out more about international women's day: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-64723201