David Bellos begins his book by contemplating the deceptively simple question of asking what exactly is translation? He finds it difficult that while he is a professional translator, he cannot fully describe what constitutes translation, and neither can his colleagues in his department. Bellos, then, seeks out to describe the process of translation, while looking at a wide array of theories, philosophical issues, cultural concerns, and practical problems that come into play while attempting to ‘translate’ a text.

What makes Bellos’s book stand out is that while it draws from much of contemporary linguistic scholarship, Bellos everything, but the kitchen sink approach works largely in how he ties the theoretical with the practical concerns that translators face. The book, then, provides not only to discuss the process of translation, but to also how it’s a fine if messy art that requires ongoing fine tuning by translators.

I really enjoyed the book largely as a result from what it taught me, particularly, just how challenging translation is and indebted to much language scholarship , but also since the discussion was lead by Bellos, whose experience and love for translation comes across well, making me appreciate the often faceless roles of translators.