Poetry in Translation 2017


Photo Source: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poets/detail/bei-dao
This year is the second year we have run the Poetry in Translation Competition.
We were delighted by the high quality of these translations. This did make it very hard to choose a winner.
Nina Liu (KD) is the Competition Winner for her translation from Mandarin of Bei Dao’s poem A visitor from Poland.
Second place goes toAnna Poddi (BR) for her translation Soap Bubble by Gian Luca Sechi.
Third place goes to Bear Hastilow (MO) for his translation of Prévert.
1st Place
波兰来客北岛 (Bei Dao) 那时我们有梦, |
A Visitor from PolandTranslated by Nina Liu (KD) We had rose-tinted dreams sometime, |
2nd Place
Bolla di SaponeGian Luca Sechi Con un soffio, |
Soap BubbleTranslated by Anna Poddi (WL)
With one blow, |
3rd Place
Déjeuner du matinJacques Prévert Il a mis le café |
Morning LunchTranslated by Bear Hastilow He put the coffee |
Тот ЦветокТатьяна Шубина Как упрямо весна, как упрямо Ну скажи, что не нужен, не нужен! Но качаясь, качаясь сегодня, Он так счастлив своей сверхзадачей |
That FlowerTranslated by Alexandra Mikhalenko Spring so stubbornly tends to remember You just tell it that it has no purpose! But today, just today, while still living, It’s so happy with task it was given, |
La GuitarraFederico García Lorca Empieza el llanto |
The GuitarTranslated by Patrick Crowley (MO) The weeping |
Die RattenGeorg Trakl In Hof scheint weiß der herbstliche Mond. Und huschen pfeifend hier und dort Und sie keifen vor Gier wie toll |
The RatsTranslated by Sebastian Braw-Smith (GL) At the farm the autumn moon is shining whitely. And run around whistling here and there And they catch like crazy out of greed |
Già la pioggia è con noiSalvatore Quasimodo Già la pioggia è con noi, Ancora un anno è bruciato, |
Already The Rain Is With UsTranslated by Anna Poddi (BR) Already the rain is with us, Another year has burnt away, |
Gedichte IIHeinrich Heine Ich weiß nicht was soll es bedeuten, Die Luft ist kühl und es dunkelt, Die schönste Jungfrau sitzet Sie kämmt es mit goldenem Kamme Den Schiffer im kleinen Schiffe Ich glaube, die Wellen verschlingen |
Poetry IITranslated by Sebastian Braw-Smith (GL) I do not know what it is supposed to mean, The air is cool and it is getting darker, The most beautiful maiden is sitting She combs with a golden comb It reaches the sailor in his small boat I believe, that at the end the waves will swallow |
Le CancreJacques Prévert Il dit non avec la tête |
The DunceTranslated by Cordelia Cha (WL) He says no with his head |
Le CancreJacques Prévert Il dit non avec la tête |
The DunceTranslated by Hiwa Iltemis (CY) He says no with his head |
PonctuationMaurice Carême Ce n’est pas pour me vanter, C’est possible, dit le point. Ne soyez pas ridicules, Ou tous deux, je vous remplace! |
PunctuationTranslated by Emily Spens (JR) This is not for me to boast, It’s possible, says the full stop. Don’t be ridiculous, |
PonctuationMaurice Carême Ce n’est pas pour me vanter, C’est possible, dit le point. Ne soyez pas ridicules, Ou tous deux, je vous remplace! |
PunctuationTranslated by Cissy Williamson (MT) It is not for me to boast, It is possible, said the full stop. Don’t be ridiculous, |