Angélique de Kroon – Translator of the Month
Our Translator of the Month in March is Angélique de Kroon. She holds an MA in Scandinavian Languages, Culture and Literature from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and began her translation career translating from Danish. The first book she translated from Norwegian was Hel ved by Lars Mytting, published in Dutch as De man en het hout in 2015. The book quickly became a major success in the Netherlands. Focusing on the culture of woodchopping, it attracted significant media attention and has so far appeared in 18 print runs in the Netherlands. An entire episode of a popular talk show was devoted to De man en het hout, featuring the well-known speed skater Erben Wennemars, a football player, and a government minister. They all brought their own axes to the TV studio and engaged in a lively and enthusiastic discussion about the book.
In addition to Hel ved, Angélique has translated, among other works, Er mor død by Vigdis Hjorth, as well as books by several Scandinavian authors including Alex Schulman, Jonas Jonasson, Erik Valeur and Hanne-Vibeke Holst. She also regularly advises publishers on Scandinavian literature.
Angélique de Kroon is currently working on the translation of Hel ved II, which will be published in the Netherlands in May.
Do you work with anything besides translation?
In addition to Scandinavian studies, I also studied fine art at an art academy and have worked as an artist. I paint, have worked with ceramics, and would very much like to start doing illustration. I have also done editorial work for various magazines.
What is it about Norwegian literature that attracts you the most?
Just like Norwegian design, I am drawn to its simplicity, behind which lies immense beauty and much deeper layers. Norwegian authors often use repetition or allow things to remain unsaid. It is a bit like slow TV. The challenge for the translator is to convey this in their own language.
The subtle humour that often lies beneath the surface in Norwegian literature also greatly appeals to me. I always try to convey everything: to translate jokes well, to make rhymes rhyme, and to preserve alliteration.
What is your best translation memory?
In 2022, I participated in NORLA’s Translator Hotel together with four wonderful translators from Spain, Germany and Japan, with whom I am still in contact. I also met the NORLA staff at their office and saw first-hand how dedicated and kind they are.
During those 14 days, we visited publishers, celebrated May 17 – Norway’s Constitution Day – together, went to the theatre, and worked on our translations.
The following year, I was invited to another NORLA translator event featuring many interesting lectures, including one by Vigdis Hjorth. It was especially enjoyable because I had just begun translating Is Mother Dead.
I also celebrated my birthday there together with 150 other translators, and we were treated to the very best of Norway. It is experiences like these that make life as a translator truly special.
Read more
More about Angélique on Books from Norway.
Those of you who understand Norwegian can read her interview here.
More interviews in NORLA’s series
Translators are our most important stakeholders when it comes to the spread of Norwegian literature in the world. Their work is of crucial significance, and in order to shed light on this, we embarked on this series of interviews, known as ‘Translator of the Month’.
You can find all of the interviews here.
