Building a literary bridge between Vietnam and Austria.

The translation of "Grandma on the Apple Tree" by translator Chu Thu Phuong was awarded the C Prize at the 8th National Book Awards. This recognition not only affirms the value of a meticulous and emotionally rich translation but also demonstrates the enduring vitality of a classic children's literature work, while opening a meaningful bridge for literary exchange between Vietnam and Austria.

Translator Chu Thu Phuong (top right) receives the Third Prize at the 8th National Book Awards. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

Written by Austrian author Mira Lobe (1913-1995), "Grandma in the Apple Tree" is a simple story about Andi, the only child in the neighborhood without a grandmother.

From a very childish, very ordinary sadness, Andi enters his own imaginary world , where he meets a special grandmother in an apple tree, a secret space connected to his childhood and imagination. There, the two of them embark on wondrous adventures together, from riding horses and driving cars to journeys exploring distant worlds.

What makes the work so captivating is not the dramatic plot, but the way author Mira Lobe touches the inner world of young children. Seemingly small desires, like "wanting a grandmother," become the driving force behind Andi's creation of a vibrant world. But more profoundly, it's a journey of emotional growth, as the boy gradually learns to open his heart, to love, and to connect with his neighbor, Mrs. Fink, in real life. The two images of the "imaginary grandmother" and the "real grandmother" run parallel, complementing each other and creating a profound humanistic depth to the story.

In particular, conveying such a spirit into another language requires not only linguistic skills but also cultural empathy. Translator Chu Thu Phuong has chosen a difficult path by bringing Austrian literature closer to Vietnamese readers, especially young readers.

In the translation of "Grandma on the Apple Tree ," the language is handled softly and intimately, preserving the innocence of the original while remaining suitable for the receptive psychology of Vietnamese children. The imaginative details and simple yet subtle dialogues are conveyed naturally, allowing readers to easily empathize with the characters. This is also a crucial factor in the work's success in winning over the expert panel of the Vietnam National Book Award.

Translator Chu Thu Phuong has also translated many other works by Mira Lobe such as "Come Here!" (The Cat Says); "I Am Little Me"; and "The City Around and Around ". These are all representative works of European children's literature, translated into more than 30 languages ​​and accompanying the childhood of many generations of readers around the world.

Introducing these works in Vietnam not only enriches the country's children's literature scene but also provides readers with an opportunity to access universal human values. These translations can be seen as a sustained effort to build literary bridges between the two countries.

Conversely, for the Vietnamese community in Austria and other German-speaking countries, these translations contribute to fostering a love for the Vietnamese language, helping children to be more motivated to connect with their language and culture.

Cover of the translated book "Grandma in the Apple Tree". (Photo courtesy of the author)

As the translator shared, the choice to translate children's works also aims to help Vietnamese parents better understand their children's psychology, while creating a shared cultural space where generations can read and share together, contributing to character formation, and nurturing imagination and emotions.

From a seemingly small story, "Grandma on the Apple Tree" has transcended national borders to become a shared work across many cultures. In Vietnam, through the translation by Chu Thu Phuong, that journey continues, carrying with it values ​​of love, understanding, and faith in the innocent world of childhood. From those simple pages, a meaningful and enduring literary bridge between Austria and Vietnam has been built.

Chu Thu Phuong is a translator and poet active in the field of literary translation, particularly dedicated to translating Austrian and German literary works into Vietnamese, and is also known by her pen name Dan Phong Diep. She is currently a diplomatic officer working at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/xay-dung-nhip-cau-van-hoc-viet-nam-ao-373161.html