Literary translation is the most demanding form of translation. It is not enough to know both languages. The translator has to understand how the author writes, what choices they make in the source language, and how to replicate the effect of those choices in the target. A sentence that works in Italian because of its rhythm does not automatically work in English translated literally.
We work with translators who read widely in both the source and target language. This is not a credential that appears on a CV. It shows up in the output. A translator who does not read contemporary fiction in the target language cannot produce fiction that reads naturally in that language.
Literary projects also require consistency across a full manuscript. Character names, recurring phrases, the translator's choices about register and dialect all need to stay coherent from chapter one to chapter twenty. We manage this through style sheets and terminology databases built at the start of every project.
We have translated literary fiction, poetry collections, children's books, graphic novel scripts, and scholarly literary essays. Each category has its own technical requirements. We scope the project in detail before issuing a quote, so the price reflects the actual complexity of the material.
What is included
Client feedback
"The English version reads like it was written in English. That was exactly what we needed for the submission."