Translator of the Month - Riina Hanso
Our Translator of the Month for December is Riina Hanso, who translates into Estonian. She has translated books within various genres: fiction, drama, crime, non-fiction and books for children and young adults, and by doing so has become “acquainted” with authors such as Henrik Ibsen, Roy Jacobsen, Merethe Lindstrøm, Jo Nesbø and Maria Parr. If there is one genre she wants to translate more of, it is definitely children’s books. And maybe poetry, in collaboration with someone.
How did you end up being a translator of Norwegian literature?
My connection to Norway began with literature, and I think it was a specific but at the same time intuitive moment. I was about 11-12 years old, and in the library at home we had a masterpiece of Norwegian literature, The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas. I knew nothing about the country, but was so totally enthralled by the book that the distant sound of “Norway-Norway-Norway” embedded itself in my heart. When I went to the University of Tartu to study English, the Soviet regime collapsed not long after, and that year I had the chance to spend a year at a folk high school in Norway. After finishing my studies, I worked for a long time with consular affairs at the Norwegian embassy in Tallinn, which was a long way from the literary world, although I was continually working in a linguistic environment. After turning 40, I decided to become a translator, and the first book I translated, Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr (original title: (Tonje Glimmerdal), happened to be voted best translated children’s book. This gave me a degree of confidence, and further offers.
What book are you translating right now?
I am working on Vestersand by Ingeborg Arvola. Vestersand is the sequel to the award-winning bestseller The Knife in the Fire, which so masterfully portrays the life of the Kven people in 19th-century Northern Norway, and paints a picture of human destiny and forbidden love.
Which of the books you have translated has given you the most joy?
Without a doubt, I have enjoyed translating children’s books the most. It allows you to use language in the most creative way, and you can feel both spiritual and at times almost physically bubbling with joy from assembling words. Among other things, I have translated all of Maria Parr’s most important books, which are of course adored in my home country, by both children and adults. It makes me want to fly.
Read more
Learn more about Riina on Books from Norway
Those of you who understand Norwegian can read her interview in full here.
Other translators interviewed in the Translator of the Month series.
