PYTHAGORE, AMOUREUX | PYTHAGORAS IN LOVE by Lee Slonimsky and Elizabeth J. Coleman

[J.S.]

Avez vous les questions pour l'auteur, la traductrice, ou l'éditeur de ce livre?

Have questions for the author, editor, or publisher of this book?

[Marcus]

I especially like the cover of this book! My daughter is just busy learning pythagoras' theorem as well as brushing up on her French: I will leave this book under the Christmas tree for her to cover both battle grounds...Question: how did author and translator collaborate towards this bilingual edition-I'm especially interested in the process. Also, is the translator bilingual herself? I have heard that one can only translate into one's native tongue. Cheers from Berlin!

[J.S.]

Hi Marcus, I'll answer for them both for now since I'm in the process of getting them on Goodreads. The translator is bilingual, but her native tongue is English. She lived in France and has studied extensively. The project was blessed by the fact that Elizabeth had native-French friends/mentors who are writing/publishing professionals to make sure the translation would read well. The project came about because the translator had taken some workshops from the author, and this was her way of "giving back." They both live in the NYC area so were able to collaborate extensively & effectively on it. Once we get Elizabeth on here, I'll be sure to have her give details on that process. (She shared some of it at our panel at the New Hampshire Poetry Festival, but I don't want to misquote.) Don't know if you saw on the copyright page, but the cover painting was done by the translator. She has other works on her website: http://www.elizabethjcoleman.com/

Thanks so much for your support! I hope your daughter loves her poetic gift:-)

[Marcus]

Thank you...my daughter is not here on goodreads hence I can talk freely about gifts ;-) - just ordered the book. Looking forward to hear more from Elizabeth about it, especially the issues English > French. I've always wanted to write in Français myself, alas...Je manque de don nécessaire de dieu...salutations de Berlin!

[Elizabeth]

Marcus wrote: "Thank you...my daughter is not here on goodreads hence I can talk freely about gifts ;-) - just ordered the book. Looking forward to hear more from Elizabeth about it, especially the issues English..."

Hello, Marcus, thanks so much for your interest in Pythagoras in Love/Pythagore, amoureux. I worked for a year with the poet Lee Slonimsky as well as Sonja Haussmann-Smith, a native French speaker who was married to the poet laureate William J. Smith. I solicited Sonja's comments on every poem as I went, and have a detailed record of the correspondence, often between continents. It was wonderful experience. In addition, a French poet reviewed the final translation. I was, by the way, in addition to what Jessi explained, a French literature major in college, and a French teacher in an American high school. In some ways, I feel as though being a non-native speaker gave me a fresh perspective on the language, and I had a detailed correspondence with Lee Slonimsky as I went as well. As Jessi said, I was inspired to do it by a deep gratitude to Lee Slonimsky for all he had taught me. I would not recommend translating into a non-native tongue without the kind of support I had, even though I'm very pleased with the product and the response. The watercolor is one that I did of the Mediterranean Sea when we were in Southern Turkey! I so hope your daughter likes the book, and thanks so much for being in touch.

[Marcus]

Elizabeth, thank you for the detailed comment. The genesis of this translation is fascinating. Your remark "I feel as though being a non-native speaker gave me a fresh perspective on the language" is something I feel about English as well. The watercolor painting is delightful. Still waiting for our copy, hope it arrives before Christmas. Cheers from Berlin!