Lydia Davis, an accomplished writer known for her unique body of work, made a rare London appearance at the Bookshop. She discussed titles, translation, and small thoughts with Adam Thirlwell. They explored the power of brevity in writing and the influence of translation on her writing. They also discussed the relationship between attention and story length, and the challenges and pleasures of translation.
Translation expands writing style and vocabulary, enhancing sensitivity to language nuances.
Translating influences Davis' own writing style, encouraging experimentation with structure and technique.
Davis extracts short stories from letters to present forgotten literary gems in their unadulterated form.
Deep dives
The Importance of Translation in Writing
Translation plays a pivotal role in expanding one's writing style and vocabulary. The experience of translating works by renowned authors like Marcel Proust and Gustave Flaubert has heightened Lydia Davis' sensitivity to the nuances and richness of language. When translating, Davis strives to maintain fidelity to the original text, preserving the author's unique style and voice. She believes that translations should not take unwarranted liberties and should faithfully represent the source material.
The Influence of Translation on Writing Style
Writing translations has also influenced Davis' own writing style. The process of accurately translating another writer's work has made her more attentive to the intricacies and possibilities of the English language. It has encouraged her to explore different techniques and structures, allowing her to experiment with brevity, conciseness, and the exploration of minute details. While translation has broadened her skills and creative range, Davis affirms that her own writing style remains distinct and independent from the writing styles of the authors she translates.
Uncovering Lost Stories in Translation
Davis has also embarked on the task of extracting short stories from the letters of famous writers, such as Gustave Flaubert. By translating and repackaging these stories, Davis aims to bring attention to forgotten literary gems that might not have been widely accessible to readers. In this process, she does not aim to create allegories or attach hidden meanings to the stories, but rather to present them in their simple and unadulterated form.
The Intricate Art of Writing Concise Stories
One of Davis' strengths lies in crafting concise stories. Though she does not deliberately set out to move readers or evoke specific emotions, the emotion she feels herself while writing often translates effectively into her stories. Davis believes that the brevity of her stories allows for a deep focus on a specific idea or concept, a meticulous exploration of language, and the potential for understated yet powerful storytelling.
The Impact of Translation Choices on Writing
When translating works like Marcel Proust's novels, Davis strives to stay true to the original text's structure and word choice. She meticulously examines the nuances of language, rhythm, syntax, and punctuation, even retaining deliberate mistakes or subtleties found in the source material. Davis acknowledges the challenge of balancing fidelity to the original text with the need to create a coherent and readable translation. She values the collaborative effort between translator and author, allowing the translated work to have its own unique impact on the target audience.
‘It's a bit mysterious, but somehow the emotion I feel at the heart of whatever I'm writing comes through, usually by my not insisting on it.’ Lydia Davis made a rare London appearance at the Bookshop to read from and discuss her unique body of work. She spoke with Adam Thirlwell about titles, translation and small thoughts.
