The Telegraph (May 17 2016) carried a story about the latest wonder device to help communication between people divided by language. The gadget, developed by New York-based Waverly Labs claims that its device, fitted snugly into the ear, enables you to communicate with another person speaking a different language. The company is cagey about how exactly the device works, but
The Korean novelist Han Kang has recently been awarded the Man Booker International prize for her novel “The Vegetarian”. (The Guardian May 9 2016). There are several unusual features about the award. Firstly, the total prize money is a not insignificant £50,000. The second, perhaps surprising, factor is that the translator, Deborah Smith, will receive half the prize money, a
The catchy title comes from an article in the Sunday Times (29 May 2016) which asked why some 70% of businesses have no interest in exporting, according to the UK Trade and Investment organisation. Claire Burrows, who runs a luxury shoe business, is already selling to Germany and Japan, a mere 18 months after launching her company. Did she find
A curious article in the Guardian recently highlighted the fact that few books from other countries make it into English and what is worse, according to the author of the article, even fewer are by women writers. This must change, we were told. The author of the article, Katy Derbyshire, is herself a distinguished translator of contemporary German writers, including
