ALCHEMIA ZAWODU TŁUMACZA

Danuta Kierzkowska

Wydawnictwo Translegis
Warszawa 2020

FRAGMENT 1

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FRAGMENT 2

THE ALCHEMY OF THE TRANSLATOR’S PROFESSION

(In Polish: Alchemia zawodu tłumacza)

by Danuta Kierzkowska

The play on words in the Polish title of this book certainly holds true for its contents. The word ‘zawód’ has a dual meaning, signifying either ‘profession’ or ‘disappointment’. The author has attempted to answer the question as to why such demanding, and often poorly paid, work has always found people prepared to practice translation, a profession that has been greatly underestimated throughout the ages.

The second word in the title, `alchemy’, suggests that the reader will not only find a scholarly approach to the principal aspects of the profession, but also historical and practical knowledge, which are, as was the case with the alchemists’ futile efforts to make gold in the past, not without their undiscovered secrets.

Inasmuch as the author has formulated her views in informal conversations with friends, mainly translators and philologues, ‘alchemy’ also means here that not all discourse is strictly treated as it would be in academic papers. The reader will discover many anecdotes relating to the history of the profession, starting with the Tower of Babel, and to contemporary and theoreticians and practitioners of the past.

A great bonus for all readers is the rich supplement containing chapters on leading international and Polish TI organisations; quotations from renowned translation theoreticians; the principles of specialised translation; an updated bibliography of publications on translation and translators; and best anecdotes on the art of translation created by outstanding translators.

This unconventional book is an asset for novices and experienced translators and interpreters alike.

Louise Rayar