Translating Myself and Others

Translating Myself and Others
is a collection of essays by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri, exploring her evolving identity as both a writer and translator across two languages. Through candid personal reflections, Lahiri delves into the complexities of linguistic and artistic transformation.
These essays examine the distinction between writing and translating, drawing insights from Ovid's myth of Echo and Narcissus and close readings of Aristotle's
Poetics
. Lahiri also discusses translation themes in Antonio Gramsci's
Prison Notebooks
and the enduring appeal of Italo Calvino as a translated author. She addresses the unique challenges of self-translation from Italian to English, her reasons for learning Italian, and the rewards of translating diverse literary works. The book includes essays originally written in Italian and published in English for the first time, alongside essays written in English.
Why You Should Read?
Gain insight into the intricate process of literary translation from a renowned author.
Explore how translation influences a writer's identity and creative expression.
Discover Lahiri's reflections on literary figures such as Ovid, Aristotle, Gramsci, and Calvino.
Understand the challenges and pleasures of self-translation and working across multiple languages.