I had the pleasure a few weeks back to chat to Sarah McDowell. She is one of those amazing people who turns Russian literature, ads, and articles into English. Her story is all about passion, hard work, and a deep love for the Russian language and culture.
Sarah didn’t start out planning to be a translator. She studied Russian and economics in school without thinking it would lead to translation. But she couldn’t resist the pull of Russian literature, poetry, music, and its rich culture. Growing up in Winnipeg, she found herself drawn to Russia over and over, fascinated by its artistic and cultural vibrancy.
Translating Russian to English isn’t just about swapping words. It’s a tricky dance with all the little idiosyncrasies of the two languages. Sarah explained: "There are so many nuances, like name changes and little emphases, such as 'He said' versus 'He DID say.' These things don’t really translate directly." Sarah manoeuvres the line between a direct translation and the more abstract intention incredibly delicately and through our conversations I can tell she has the utmost respect for her craft. The real challenge is capturing the tone of voice, which is more than just words. She talked about the importance of participles and the common use of idioms and slang, including "winged phrases," or those expressions that are deeply ingrained in Russian speech which a new Russian speaker might not pick up on.
In her job, Sarah works closely with authors, forming a partnership that’s crucial for keeping the original text's integrity. You can tell this relationship she holds dear and at all times considers her main task as a conduit between cultures and people. How long it takes to translate something can vary, usually around two to three months depending on the text's length and complexity. This time shows how careful and detailed translation work is.
For Sarah, translation is more than just turning text from one language to another. It’s about creating communication, sharing cultures, and building bridges between people. Her passion for translating accurately is clear as she tries to stay as close to the original text as possible. She sees her role as fostering understanding between nations, highlighting our shared humanity.
When you talk to Sarah, her love for Russian culture is obvious. Her translations are not just about words; they’re about capturing the Russian spirit and conveying it authentically to English-speaking readers. Through her work, she embodies what translation is all about – the delicate and profound art of connecting worlds.