Translators must be knowledgeable cultural figures
The translation journey for Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace" was once likened to a classic story about translation. "War and Peace" - one of the greatest novels in world literature of all time, is a massive collection of books with a volume of hundreds of characters, complex historical contexts of the early 19th century.
The first translation of "War and Peace" into Vietnamese by the group of translators Hoang Thieu Son, Truong Xuyen, Cao Xuan Hao, Nhu Thanh. Later translation by translator Nguyen Hien Le, first printed at La Boi Publishing House, in 1969. Translators all had to translate and compare from many different language versions to have the most standard Vietnamese version.
Translator Nguyen Hien Le spent a whole year translating "War and Peace". He translated from the French version, but there are passages that need verification, he uses the English version for comparison. That is a huge challenge in terms of volume, number of pages, cast of characters and writing style, in which terms of war, military, tactical, historical events... of the work require thorough understanding.
More than the role of translators, the group of authors translating the massive sets of books of Russian literature at that time was considered great cultural figures. They were good at foreign languages, good at Vietnamese and deeply understood Russian culture, with extensive knowledge in many fields.
The novel series "Peaceful East River" by author M. Sholokhov is also a major challenge, with a scale of thousands of pages, still carrying the local language of the Don River region, imbued with Cossack culture, and a complex historical context. The translator of "Peaceful East River" must convey the soul, local dialect and harshness of war.
In a conversation with Lao Dong reporters about translated books and the aspiration to bring Vietnamese books to the world, Mr. Nguyen Nguyen - Director of the Publishing, Printing and Distribution Department - recounted that when he was working at World Publishing House - he had the opportunity to meet many good translators. The Director of the Publishing, Printing and Distribution Department called good translators great cultural figures, "giants of talent". Many veteran translators in Vietnam such as: Huu Ngoc, Phan Ngoc, Nguyen Qui Hien, Cao Xuan Hao, Nguyen Tuong Giang, Duong Tuong... have had many classic works. According to Mr. Nguyen Nguyen, currently, we lack a force of good, "talented" translators as we once had.
Book translation and translated books need a strategy
The book "The Things They Carried" (original title The Things They Carried) by author Tim O'Brien, when translated into Vietnamese, once caused fierce controversy because of its vulgar and crude translation. "A Glimpse of Glory in the Human World" (original title On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous) by author Ocean Vuong was also reacted to for its vulgar, disjointed, and difficult-to-read translation.
Many units currently use Google and AI translation services. According to the Publishing, Printing and Distribution Department, thanks to the development of science and technology, book translation has become simpler and the number of translated books is increasing. However, some translations, especially literature books, are controversial.
To improve the quality of translated books and translate Vietnamese books into many languages, it is necessary to have appropriate incentive mechanisms to attract quality translators. In recent years, the Publishing Department has carried out many activities to bring Vietnamese books to the world and bring the quintessence of international books to Vietnam.
Accordingly, the Publishing, Printing and Issuing Department plans to participate in international book fairs, creating opportunities to sign and exchange book copyrights with many world publishers. However, the results are still not as expected.
The book "Chang hoang dã" has been translated into 9 languages, and some books translated by writer To Hoai have also attracted international readers. Recently, the book "History of Vietnam in Pictures" was translated into English after the Vietnamese version caused a stir. But for foreign readers to understand more about Vietnamese literature and culture, Vietnamese publishing still needs to take a long road and needs a specific strategy" - Mr. Nguyen Nguyen said.
Talking to Lao Dong reporters, writer Nguyen Quang Thieu - Chairman of the Vietnam Writers' Association - said that a major challenge is also being posed to writers, when Vietnam does not have works that can approach the general evaluation criteria of the world.
In Vietnam, many works can be unique with the evaluation criteria of domestic readers. But, works that can go beyond the national level, approach the general evaluation criteria of the international community, humanity - perhaps we do not have, or have very few" - writer Nguyen Quang Thieu said.
To bring Vietnamese books to the world, or bring the quintessence of world books to Vietnam, I think a great support from the State is needed. The State needs to connect relevant agencies, needs to build specific strategies and plans, assign roles and tasks to each agency, to organize sophisticated planning, translation, bringing Vietnamese books to international book fairs, world libraries, diplomatic programs and festivals... From there, promote national culture and image to the world" - writer Nguyen Quang Thieu expressed his opinion.
According to Director of the Publishing, Printing and Distribution Department Nguyen Nguyen, the proportion of translated books in Vietnam is quite high, with international bestsellers appearing early. However, the remuneration for book translators is still low.
