The Art of Translation: A Discussion with Anne Birkenhauer Molad

Van Leer Institute Series on Ideas

Translation is a mysterious process that combines the elements of writing – rhythm and voice, meaning, structure and nuance – with the challenge of problem-solving. The American writer Harry Mathews said, “translation is the paradigm, the exemplar of all writing, since it demonstrates most vividly the yearning for transformation that underlies every act involving speech.”

Anna Birkenhauer-Molad is an award-winning translator and teacher of literary translation, whose work has brought some of the best Hebrew prose and poetry to the German-reading public. Among the authors whose writings she has translated are: David Grossman, Aharon Applefeld, Haim Baer, Yoel Hoffman and Yehuda Amichai.

In 2018, Anna was awarded the German Medal of Honor by the President of Germany for her contribution to cultural relations between Germany and Israel.

Renee Garfinkel, Ph.D. is a psychologist, writer, Middle East television commentator and host of The New Books Network’s Van Leer Jerusalem Series on Ideas. Write her at [e-mail]. She's on Twitter @embracingwisdom. She blogs here.

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