What makes literary translation hard
Literary and creative translation is not the same problem as technical translation. In technical work, accuracy is the primary constraint. In literary work, voice, tone, rhythm, cultural reference, and emotional impact all matter as much as accuracy. A joke that translates literally will frequently fail completely in the target language. A pun, a cultural reference, an ironic understatement may have no equivalent and require a creative solution that is not in the original text at all.
Our literary translators are writers in their native language, not just competent bilinguals. They have their own published work, their own critical sensibility, and the ability to make translation decisions that serve the text rather than just the source words.
Creative formats we handle
We work across the full range of creative and literary content:
- Literary fiction: novels, short story collections, novellas
- Non-fiction: memoir, narrative journalism, cultural commentary, essay collections
- Screenplays and drama: film scripts, TV pilots, stage plays, dialogue adaptation
- Children's and young adult literature
- Marketing and brand copy: taglines, campaign narratives, brand voice guidelines
- Website and editorial copy requiring local cultural adaptation
- Museum and gallery content, exhibition texts
- Speeches, executive communications, and thought leadership content
Process for creative work
Creative projects begin with a brief. We discuss the intended tone, audience, and any cultural considerations before a translator is assigned. The translator is selected based on their literary background, published work in the relevant genre or format, and specific language pair.
Unlike standard document translation, literary projects include a consultation phase where translator queries are addressed and creative decisions are discussed with the client. The delivered translation is accompanied by a translation notes document explaining significant adaptation decisions.