Meeting for translators with Günter Grass

News on 16.02.2013

The translation of lyrical texts is particularly difficult and complicated. In this regard, it is important to avoid mistakes - but how is it possible to avoid mistakes in a lyrical translation? This is best answered in a conversation with the lyricist himself. Günter Grass, whose works have appeared in more than 50 countries, and have been translated into more than 50 languages, is meeting with nine translators in Lübeck, in order to discuss the problems and possibilities of translating his works. At this meeting, which will take 3 days, translators from Poland, China and Denmark are taking part.

Not all authors have such an intense relationship to translator like Günter Grass. He began meeting with translators on the publishing of a new book, after his work "Der Butt" was released in 1978, in order to discuss working together, clarifying problems and finding solutions.

This year, poems are at the centre of attention, especially the volume of poetry "Lyrische Beute" and "Eintagsfliegen", which were published last year. In this process, the translators can find important tips regarding the completion of the translation, and discuss their suggestions for translation directly with Günter Grass, in order to avoid misinterpretation.