The book salon

At the hairdresser’s today, for a much-needed cut by the wonderful Carol, we got to talking about books. I don’t usually go to the hairdresser’s expecting literary chat (more fool me). However, I came away with some great recommendations, including the advice to stop off at the Oxfam bookshop nearby, which Carol said is really well-stocked. I did, and it is. I found one of her suggested books, The Island, by Victoria Hislop, which I can’t wait to read. Plus another seven…

One of these was Deaf Sentence, by David Lodge. According to the blurb it’s about “retired professor of linguistics Demond Bates” and his experience of growing older and deafer. And of having to deal with his hearing-impaired father, who refuses to seek help. My own Mum’s become pretty deaf and refuses to wear her hearing aid, so this struck a chord. But what really decided me to buy Deaf Sentence was the dedication:

Conscious that this novel, from its English title onwards, presents special problems for translators, I dedicate it to all those who, over many years, have applied their skills to the translation of my work into various languages, and especially to some who have become personal friends: Marc Amfreville, Mary Gislon and Rosetta Palazzi, Maurice and Yvonne Couturier, Armand Eloi and Beatrice Hammer, Luo Yirong, Suzanne Mayoux and Renate Orth-Guttmann, and Susumu Takagi.

I’m not a literary translator and I don’t know any of the people listed above. But it was so nice to see David Lodge recognising their work as translators, and in such a prominent way. How could I resist?

By the way: If you live in the Glasgow area and are looking for a great hairdresser and a great chat into the bargain, I highly recommend Carol King. She’s at the Rainbow Room at 607  Great Western Road, tel: 0141 337 3370

By Marian Dougan

Published by Marian Dougan

Marian is a translator and editor (specialising in web content) currently based in Glasgow, Scotland. Marian previously lived in Italy for over 20 years, working as a language teacher, translator and policy analyst with the British Embassy in Rome. A qualified member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and its Italian-language and ITI Scotnet networks, she is currently Scotnet's Convenor and Deputy Webmaster. From 2003 to 2006 Marian taught translation skills at the Italian Department of Glasgow University and now gives Master Classes as part of the new Masters in Translation Studies course. She also conducts web-writing and usability workshops to help people improve their websites and communicate more effectively with their readers, users and customers. In September 2014 Marian obtained User Experience Certification, with specialisation in Web Design, from the Nielsen Norman Group. She loves language, especially English, and is convinced that learning languages opens up people’s minds and horizons (and increases their brainpower!). To share her enthusiasm, she advises schools and educational authorities on language skills and enterprise. She gives talks to pupils on how to combine language studies with other subjects and so enhance their potential and increase their career options. Marian is an active member of organisations such as: Scottish Council Development and Industry (SCDI); Association of Scottish Businesswomen; Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Scotland. She also loves architecture, design, fashion (British Vogue!), cities and chocolate. She’s a great fan of Twitter and you can also find her on Linkedin.

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