The high school students were immersed in the demanding and fascinating world of literary translation, in the company of Mona de Pracontal, the French translator of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s renowned novels, Half of a Yellow Sun and Purple Hibiscus.
During an interactive workshop, the students worked on translating an excerpt from a novel, discovering that translation is not simply about switching languages. It’s about making precise word choices, respecting cultural nuances, and conveying a voice, a rhythm, and an emotion.
It was an enriching experience that sparked the students’ curiosity about the translator’s profession, while also emphasizing the importance of literature as a bridge between cultures.
