Marjorie Salvodon's translation

Ruoyi

Marjorie Salvadon talks about translating feminist literature, shedding light on how her personal background has infused her translations with unique perspectives. One captivating aspect she discusses is the portrayal of Haiti's hard-fought independence from French colonization within the novel—a theme that resonates deeply with her both fictionally and in her real-life experiences. Her profound connection to the text reflects her prowess as a cultural translator, adept at capturing the essence of a narrative beyond mere words.

Salvadon also offers insightful recommendations for fellow translators, advocating for collaborative efforts(translating with someone else) as she herself co-translated the book Tomboy with another female translator. This collaborative approach, enriched by diverse cultural backgrounds, fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas essential to the translation process. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of taking risks even if diverging from conventional viewpoints or translation ideas—a hallmark of independent and innovative translation since they are trying to put in their own styled marks.

In her talk, Salvadon underscores the value of immersing oneself in literary companions and also tackling multivoiced novels. These strategies converge to enrich the translation process, ensuring a nuanced and faithful rendition of the original work. Moreover, Salvadon's poignant advice to "translate what you love" encapsulates the emotional investment involved in translation. While this may diverge from the conventional approach of translating for livelihood, it speaks volumes to the fulfillment and authenticity that can be derived from translating as a labor of love, especially for part-time translators like herself.

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