Hi Charlie!

I took part in a translation competition in Arles last month. It was created by the association ATLAS that promotes translations of literature pieces. They organise many other activities like introductions to the work of translators, or reading of poems from all around the world. The members are very nice, they really want to share something with you! They organise the "concours Atlas-junior" every year and I advise you to take part in the next one, they have almost every language going from "provençal" to German!!

You might wonder how the competition went, as I am telling you to participate too. Well, I had to go to Arles, but the competition took place in the Espace Van Gogh which is beautiful just as the city! Then I was kindly welcomed by association members. They gave me a text in English, and I sat in a library in the middle of other students. I borrowed a dictionary, and started to read the text. It wasn't a difficult text, nevertheless you realize that translating is not only about words, but also about the atmosphere, the personality of the characters, the writing style etc, when you find yourself in this situation. I stayed two hours, in which I translated the text, trying to find the best way to share the writer's work in French. The theme of the texts was a bit similar to our post-colonialism theme this year!
Anyway it was an interesting experience, and I would do it again! Translating really gives you the feeling to create something, as well as helping to make culture accessible to everyone.

Here's the link of the competition page : http://www.atlas-citl.org/concours-atlas-junior/
And the association : http://www.atlas-citl.org

Hope it will encourage you to do it!
By the way, the prizes are of 250 and 150 euros in "bons fnac" so it is worth it ;)
Agathe M.