Sprachkl

nge

A DG Translation celebration
La m usiq ue d es la ngue s

Glasba jeziko

Luxembourg, 25 Sept. 2012 Brussels, 26 Sept. 2012

a music La

Lingu elle

 Amsicadaslnguas CeolnadTeangacha Demuziekdertalen Glasbajezikov Ilmuikatalilsna Lamsicadelesllenges Lamusicadellelingue Lamusiquedeslangues Sprachklnge TheMusicofLanguages Valodumzika

DG Translation Forum over 30 performers, La m us languages in 24ique d

es la ngue s

Sprachkl

nge

Glasba jeziko

Luxembourg, 25 Sept. 2012 Brussels, 26 Sept. 2012

a music La

Lingu elle


NeithertheEuropeanCommission noranypersonactingonitsbehalfis responsibleforanyusewhichmightbe madeoftheinformationcontainedin thispublication.Thisisnotan officialpublicationandneitherthe Commissionnoranyofitsservicesare boundinanywaybyitscontents.

 allejtlekganjalitixtieqtinstema fmittlingwadifferentimixjinfdaqqa. Ileftyouasongwishingtobeheard inahundreddifferentlanguagesmarchinginonestride. ImmanuelMifsud,km

TheMusicofLanguages

DuringoneofhiscelebratedHarvardlectures,JorgeLuisBorgessuggestedthatallwordsinalllanguagescanbetraced back toa primordial onomatopoeia or acoustic metaphor.Ma, that beautiful first syllable pronounced by babies when they begin to express themselves beyond crying and squealing, calls out to the mother in many IndoEuropean and Chinese tongues, and in Semitic languages asks for water. In both cases, of course, that first human word is born of thirst.Latercomestheneedtoidentifyonessurroundings.Basque,perhapsEuropesmostancientsurvivinglanguage, is known to contain a very high proportion of onomatopoeic words in comparison to tongues that have undergone greater phonetic change over time. Beyond the Basque word for mother, ama, which also contains that essential first vowelandfirstconsonant,observethesoundsandmouthmovementsofthefollowingverbs:putz(toblow),estutu(to squeeze),bultzatu(topush),isuri(toflow).YoumayalsonoticeadegreeofonomatopoeiaintheEnglishequivalents.The acousticmetaphoroftenrunsatadeeper,subtlerlevel.Borges,whocouldnothelpbeingpoetic,usedtheexampleofthe Englishwordmoon,linkingtheroundjourneyfromthemtothenandthelowpitchofthelongootothemysterious, aweinspiringimpressionofthecelestialbodyinthemistofthenight.ThesoundofFrenchluneisrathersimilar.

More obvious examples from the sky are the sounds we use for bird: the Basque word txori, for instance, recalls the Englishverbtochirp;intheMaltesewordgasfur,thecentralsfcouldbeareferencetothebirdswhistling.According toanotherhalfpoetic,halfacademictheory,humanlanguagearoseinimitationofbirdsong.Apossiblecorollaryofboth Borgessuggestionandthebirdsongtheoryisthat,iflanguageismusic,thenitrepresents,explainsandengageswiththe musicoftheworldaroundit. 6

TheMusicofLanguages Withbirdsstillinmind,anotherbeautyofthenatureoflanguageiswhatwemightcallwordmigration.Unlikemany national borders, the frontiers between languages are highly porous; the Maltese word muika, for example, which clearly comes from Italian, did not require a passport or visa in order to become an integral word of the Maltese language.ThephoneticpatternsofMaltesewouldnormallyhaveledthiswordtoevolveintotheformmuga(andin fact,thisformbrieflyappearedinthewritingofexperimentalpoetssuchasAchilleMizzi),yetthepreservationofthe moreItalianateformmuikaprobablyowesmoretothewordsdactylicrhythmthantorespectforitsorigins.Hereat theDGT,bothonscreenandalongthecorridors,wecrosslinguisticborderscontinuously,muchlikewordsthemselves.

Thereisanotherpopulartheory,accordingtowhichthephoneticdevelopmentofalanguageisstronglyinfluencedby thelocallandscape:thus,islandormaritimetongueswouldhavemorewavy,risingandfallingiambicrhythmsthan the harsher, more consonantbased languages of the mountains; likewise, humidity levels would determine the relative nasality of a language or dialect. Comparisons between the sounds and rhythms of Venetian and Sicilian, GalicianandCastilian,HighandLowGerman,mayormaynotsufficeasillustrationsofthattheory,andtoidentify onelanguageordialectasbeingmoremusicalormelodiousthananotherwillalwaysbeasubjectivejudgment.All languages have their particular music, and all languages have their particular landscapes. Along the corridors of Kirchbergandvre,wewalkfromonemusicintoanother,andthusfromtheislandtothecontinent,fromtheSub ArctictotheMediterranean,uptheslopeofaBalkanmountainanddownagainontoanAtlanticplain. By celebrating the music of languages, we also celebrate the languages respective landscapes. What better way to travelacrosstheselandscapesthanonthewingsofpoetry,literatureandmusic?Letusmigrate.Listencarefullyforthe acoustic metaphors, but more importantly, sit back and enjoy the flight. Over thirty performers from different languagesandlandscapesareheretoquenchyourthirst! AntoineCassar

Programme

author

work

language

performer

Eksperimentas Balkni ballada trans. T. Zbelin Balkan-Ballade Dis, quand reviendras-tu ? Barbara Tassos Angelidis Benna Clifton Azzopardi Impronti Feejja Mjesear Antun Branko imi Maszynka do misa Grayna Wojciesko Mary Madeleine Bol raz jeden kr uhorsk (Traditional) Lehed langsid Juhan Liiv Robot Frans Nijs Bellen blazen Regels assim que respiro - A celebration of the poetry of Nuno Morais Iliya Patev Dessy Tsvetkova Marcelijus Martinaitis Terz Nagy

Lietuvi Magyar Deutsch Franais Malti Hrvatski Polski

Iliya Patev Dessy Tsvetkova ydra Bakutyt Thomas Zbelin Valrie Rey Tassos Angelidis, Christina Fostieri Clifton Azzopardi Marijan Jelinek Grayna Wojciesko

10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34

Slovensk Peter Balla Eesti keel Leila Anupold Nederlands Frans Nijs Portugus

Programme

author

work

language

performer

Johannes Johansen Ileana Busuioc Nichita Stnescu Bertolt Brecht Gheorghe Ssrman
trans. M. Martn Rodrguez

Sommersalme Fereastr Emoie de toamn Der Mensch lebt durch den Kopf Kriegbourg Vasaras lietus Bog Braon don Seanduine amonn an chnoic Nuova grammatica finlandese Tata Vsa v ametu je prila Gospod! Poklical si me Potrebujem tvojo svetlobo, si rekel Under Milk Wood Cautionary Tales for Children Fredmans sng 21

Dansk Romn Romn Deutsch Espaol

Uldis Brzi (Traditional) (Traditional) Diego Marani Lluis Llach Branka Golobi Vera Pejovi Vladimir Vysotsky Dylan Thomas Hilaire Belloc Carl Michael Bellman

Ditte Junge Ileana Busuioc Daniela Badea Lisa Galaski Mariano Martn Rodrguez Latvieu Kristine Elksne, Anete Korpa Gaeilge Sen Riain Gaeilge Cormac hAodha Italiano Diego Marani Catal Xavier Valeri, Luisa Feliu Slovenina Branka Golobi Slovenina Vera Pejovi Peter Balla English Fiona Graham English Caroline McClelland Svenska Anna Holmn, Swedish team

36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66
9

I wrote this song on a mountain tripin1994.ItisnowolderthanI wasatthetime,soitsonlyfairit finally got translated into English...

10

Imalady Music,lyricsandtranslationbyIliyaPatev;performedbyIliyaPatev Imalady andIknowfrom Mum Ifacouple donottalkthey comefromoutoftown Hereintown thehoppingcows makefunnysounds Iwouldloveto makeasoundbut Iamnotaclown Oracowthathops aroundtownmaking funnysounds Imalady andIknowfrom Mum Thatacasket madeofplastic makesnohum Itsasempty asapretty dream Ontheinside andtheoutside fullofsteam Asaherdofhopping cowsIliketohumtoin afunnytown Sotheyrenotalone Imalady andIknowfrom Mum Peoplesinging usually meannoharm Holdontomy cardboardhouseand raggydoll Gentlyhumming lasolfami tilasol Likeaproperlady hoppingupanddown aroundthefunnycows Andgentlybleating

11

,, , , ,.
Desislava Tsvetkova was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, right next to beautiful Vitosha Mountain. She studied Slavonic literature and linguistics to MA level at Saint Kliment Ohridsky University, Sofia. During her studies she started to write poetry, some of which was published in the university magazine. She went on to pursue a career in journalism, writing for a variety of Bulgarianpublicationssuchas 12

, . . ,! ,, ,. ,,, . , .

BlueEscape writtenandperformedbyDessyTsvetkova Fromawindthatfirstblewlongago,faraway, IshalltakeupthereinsandIllridetheblueevenings; Ishallgallopunkempt,boldandbrightastheday Andwillseekoutinfinity,timelessandtempting. FromthehilloftheskyIshallscanallaround, Illreleasemytightholdontheblueeveningsreins AndforoneuniquemomentIllpeerthroughthislens Thenagainflyawayindirectionsoncespurned. Andifsomebodywavesmetohalt,Illrushby Andmorezealouslyspurtheblueeveningsonward. And,tospitethecoldwinterandhisfrowningforehead, Ishallvanish:immenselyfarsouthwardIllfly. Andthereunexpected,unknown,undesired Ishalllettheblueeveningswanderunreined. OntheedgeofinfinityIshallstandmute Andawaitabluedawnandabluehumankind.

AllforWomen,Womens Kingdom,and24Hours. Desislavaalsoworkedasa reporterfortheDarikradio station,coveringculturalissues andthearts.In2006shecame toLuxembourg.Thatsame yearshepublishedan anthologyofherwritingcalled Thebirdsareflyingrightnext toGod.ThepoemBlue Escapeisfromthiscollection.

paintingbyRositsaTsvetkova, theauthorsmother 13

Lietuvi

Kukuio balads Eksperimentas Ko jis nedar su savimi kad bt toks koks savaime yra nesistengdamas bti toks koks savaime yra Ir ko jis nedar m dainuoti chore prisipirko kaklaryi tepalo batams veidrod iki juosmens band grotis peizaais mylti laukinius vrelius

Kukuio balads Eksperimentas Visa tai veltui galvojo juk nemanoma pasidaryti tokiam koks savaime esi o kada stengiesi bti toks koks savaime esi tada ne savaime esi toks koks jau savaime esi Ir ko jis nedar kad tik pasidaryt toks koks savaime yra tada jis bdavo savaime toks koks ne savaime yra ()

Marcelijus Martinaitis (b. 1936), a famous Lithuanian poet, has published five books of essays and fifteen collections of poetry, including his most popular one, The Ballads of Kukutis (1977). Its main character, Kukutis, is a blend of village idiot and anarchistic trickster. He is playful and seems to be talking about something else, and this something else has an innocence about it, a lack of central concern. No criticism or politics here!

read by ydra Bakutyt

14

Lietuvi

The Ballads of Kukutis An experiment What didn't he do so that he would be what he already was without trying to be what he already was What didn't he try he sang in a choir bought new ties shoe polish a full length mirror learned to admire landscapes to love wild animals

Kukuio balads Eksperimentas All in vain he thought after all it's impossible to become what you already are and when you try to be what you already are then you are not already what you already are What he didn't try that he might become what he already was then he would already be what there already wasn't ()

translated by Laima Sruoginis-Vince

And it worked of the few books that got through the layers of Soviet censorship, this one did. Kukutis is clearly one of those characters who escape from their creator and ... become one of us. His extreme simplicity, free of any fear of sounding strange or stupid, the scents of the earth, an oldfashioned village, silence these are things with a particular appeal for those lost in sophistication.

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Magyar / Deutsch

Balkni Ballada Hrom kicsi vadrce szik patak vizbe szik patak vizbe az anyja kzelbe Hrom kicsi vadrce Puha pihe plyhske Puha pihe plyhske Mosolygs kic vadrce Hrom kicsi vadrce Kenyeret kr ebdre Kenyeret kr ebdre Hrom kicsi vadrce Sortz drdl robbans Aknatz s gyzs Kicsi fehr kenyrke Kicsi kislny kezbe Kicsi fehr kenyrke kicsi kislny kezbe Beleragadt a vrbe Kicsi kislny vrbe Vrtl vrs volt a tr A sok ember mind remlt Kicsi fehr kenyrkt Kicsi fehr kenyrkt Vrtl vrs volt a tr Vrzn vgtatott a szl Vrzn vgtatott a szl Vres lett a kis kenyr Hrom vrs vadrce szik patak vizbe szik patak vizbe Kicsi kislny vrbe

Terz Nagy embodies a European fate of a very particular kind. As a Hungarian writer and poet, she was forced in 1991 to flee with her husband from her native Vojvodina (known in Hungarian as Vajdasg), a region of Serbia. She spent many years as a refugee in southern Germany.

16

Magyar / Deutsch Following an unsuccessful attempt to return home, she finally settled in western Hungary, where she continues to write (novels and children's books as well as poetry). In her anthology Csalka csillagom - Trgerischer Stern, Terz Nagy depicts in poetic form her experiences of war, flight and asylum. Balkni ballada reflects these and an incident from the time of the Balkan wars which affected her profoundly the explosion of a bomb in a bustling market place in Sarajevo, whose victims included children. Though brief, the poem is intense in rhythm and in its language, sounds and visual images. 17

Balkan-Ballade bersetzung: Thomas Zbelin Kleine Wildenten, drei an der Zahl, baden planschend im Bache, baden planschend im Bache und ihre Mutter hlt Wache. Kleine Wildenten, drei an der Zahl, in wohlig weichem Daunenkleid, in wohlig weichem Daunenkleid, vergngte Entlein, drei an der Zahl. Kleine Wildenten, drei an der Zahl, bitten um einige Bissen Brot, bitten um einige Bissen Brot, kleine Wildenten, drei an der Zahl Gewehrerattern, Bombendrhnen, Minenfelder, leises Sthnen, kleines Weibrot, oh wie fein, in der Hand vom Mdchen klein. Kleines Weibrot, oh wie fein, in der Hand vom Mdchen klein, blutge Kruste, blutger Rand, blutrot auch des Mdchens Hand. Blutrot streicht den Platz der Tod, Menschen hoffen in der Not auf den kleinsten Krumen Brot, auf den kleinsten Krumen Brot. Blutrot streicht den Platz der Tod und die Winde wehen rot, bringen wehend roten Tod, blutrot auch das kleine Brot. Rote Wildenten, drei an der Zahl, baden planschend im Bache, baden planschend im Bache, in des Mdchens Blutlache

Franais Dis, quand reviendras-tu? Voil combien de jours, voil combien de nuits, Voil combien de temps que tu es reparti, Tu m'as dit cette fois, c'est le dernier voyage, Pour nos curs dchirs, c'est le dernier naufrage, Au printemps, tu verras, je serai de retour, Le printemps, c'est joli pour se parler d'amour, Nous irons voir ensemble les jardins refleuris, Et dambulerons dans les rues de Paris, Refrain Dis, quand reviendras-tu, Dis, au moins le sais-tu, Que tout le temps qui passe, Ne se rattrape gure, Que tout le temps perdu, Ne se rattrape plus.

Barbara, ne le 9 juin 1930 Paris et dcde le 24 novembre 1997 Neuilly-surSeine, est une chanteuse, auteur-compositeur-interprte franaise. Sa posie engage, la beaut mlodique de ses compositions et la profondeur de lmotion que dgageait sa voix lui assurrent un public qui la suivit pendant quarante ans.

18

Franais Le printemps s'est enfui depuis longtemps dj, Craquent les feuilles mortes, brlent les feux de bois, A voir Paris si beau dans cette fin d'automne, Soudain je m'alanguis, je rve, je frissonne, Je tangue, je chavire, et comme la rengaine, Je vais, je viens, je vire, je me tourne, je me trane, Ton image me hante, je te parle tout bas, Et j'ai le mal d'amour, et j'ai le mal de toi, Refrain J'ai beau t'aimer encore, j'ai beau t'aimer toujours, J'ai beau n'aimer que toi, j'ai beau t'aimer d'amour, Si tu ne comprends pas qu'il te faut revenir, Je ferai de nous deux mes plus beaux souvenirs, Je reprendrai la route, le monde m'merveille, J'irai me rchauffer un autre soleil, Je ne suis pas de celles qui meurent de chagrin, Je n'ai pas la vertu des femmes de marins, Refrain chanson interprte par Valrie Rey
Compose pour le grand amour d'alors de Barbara, le diplomate Hubert Ballay, la chanson Dis, quand reviendrastu? a pour narratrice une femme spare de son amoureux, qui elle s'adresse dans l'attente de son retour. Le texte ne donne pas le genre ou le sexe des personnages, sauf dans le dernier vers ( Je n'ai pas la vertu des femmes de marins ), dont il existe une variante pour les hommes ( des chevaliers anciens ). 19


Tassos Angelidis has been writing poetry in Greek for the last twenty years while working at DGT. Some of his poems have been published in Greek literary magazines. The following two poems, written in 2004, are all part of a collection as yet in search of a publisher

. . , , , .

, ,

20

 CHORUS B Questions multiply Decisions to be taken Choices to be made Indecisive he is about the shape his future takes It is difficult to distinguish between vice and virtue between existence and appearance He changes worlds daily And the distance is great between quality and misery between beauty and ugliness How easy it is to hope and despair How difficult to become what you are, or to become something else He is still nowhere And love is delayed
21

CHORUS D Years he exchanged for moments, moments which were also lost. Wanderings, which ended in ancient wisdoms and eternal truths that he, stubbornly, refuses to accept. Old, glorious love-affairs which fade away at the image of a curl which falls as though carelessly between her dazzling eyes.
Translated by Tassos Angelidis and Christine Fostieri. Many thanks to J. Kirby for revising the translations.

Malti

I work as a translator in the Maltese Department in the JMO building, Luxembourg. I feel inspired especially by movies, books and music, but Im also influenced by my dreams, everyday experiences and people Im acquainted with. I enjoy reading thrillers, fantasy novels, and newspaper andmagazinearticles.

ImprontiFeejja Innoti jibdewjinalluwadafwada ulinjamtapjanujibdelsurtu. Tifelkejkeniwaddabagka ujdardarlilma. Jitbissem kifjarahatifen fuqwililma, ujiddendelmommu waqtlijippontalbarra. Isswabatapjanist iebbufferneija baltentaklitaqarnita filkanalitakoralli jikxfussarijiet ujitgaxxqubdaklijossu.

Hekkkifinnar xekkelbilqajlalqajla ilmovimentsfurzattaqatga salamun jissieletmalkurrent, ilpjanist imejjelrasulejnixxejn ujgib. Iallibisspjanujaqbad upassimmarkati firrameltalampulletta. Ikejkengalmumentjitbikkem hekkkifjiassalejnwililma ujaraagkatgibfalqu sakemmtifelflilma ikuniridjilgab biriekimiegu.

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Malti

FadingFootprints Thenotes begintomeltonebyone, apianostartsshiftingshape. Ayoungboythrowsapebble anddisturbsthewater. Hesmiles asheseesitdance uponthewaterssurface andhangsontohismother, pointing. Thepianistsfingers ferventlyfinger, likethetentaclesofanoctopus, incanalsofcoral uncoveringspells andenjoyingwhattheyperceive.

Assoonastheflames slowly,slowlyhinder astrugglingschoolofsalmon forcingitswayagainstthecurrent, thepianist looksintothevoid andvanishes. Heleavesonlyaburningpiano andfootprints inthesandsofanhourglass. Thechildisspeechless ashestaresatthefaceinthewater, andseesthepebbledisappearinto hismouth untilaboyinthewater reachesouttoplay circleswithhim.

Impronti Feejja (Fading Footprints) pits the adult world against that of an innocent child. The former struggles to makeanameforhimselfinthe world of art and to produce a body of work that will be appreciated for years to come, even after his death. The child does not worry about these things.Heissimplyfocusedon playingandhislifelooksmore simple and relaxed in comparison with that of the pianist. CliftonAzzopardi 23

Hrvatski A.B.imi (18981925)

Mjesear AntunBrankoimi Bognoi mjesec saesneba idokoracalaganodomojekue Polakoonseuspnenamojprozor ispustipogledname Onmamimeneuno

Jaustajem...imojelicebijelo...smijeise Koracamsanenrubovimakrova ietamkroznouvisini Menedremekerukemjeseca Otakolaksam...nezemaljski...lebdim imogustatinaliststabla Nezoviteme:glassazemlje smrtjemoganebeskogabia Visokoiznadzemljelebdimlagankrozasfere

TheCroatianexpressionistpoet Antun Branko imi started a journal for art and culture, Vijavica (Whirlwind) modelled on the German journal Der Sturm. As a result he was obligedtoleaveschoolin1917. He also launched two other journals, Juri (Attack) and Knjievnik(Writer),wrote 24

Hrvatski

Sleepwalker TranslatedandinterpretedbyMarijanJelinek Godofnight themoon descendsfromtheblue andslowlyapproachesmyhouse Heleisurelyclimbsuptomywindow andlayshisgazeonme Heluresmeintothenight Iriseandmywhitefacesmiles Iamsleepilystrollingalongtheroofedges saunteringaloftthroughthenight heldbythesofthandsofthemoon OhhowlightamIunearthlyfloating abletostandontheleafofatree Donotcallforme:avoicefromtheearth isthedeathofmyheavenlycreature HighabovetheearthIamlightlyfloatingthroughthespheres

poems, literary and art critiques, and worked as a translator. The poem Mjesear (Sleepwalker) comes from the anthology Preobraenja (Metamorphoses), published in 1920.

Musicby LudwigvanBeethoven PianoSonataNo.14inCsharp minor,Quasiunafantasia, Op.27,No.2, theMoonlightSonata 25

Polski Grayna Wojcieszko (born in Bydgoszcz, Poland) is a Polish poet and author of collections W oczekiwaniu (Estrella, 2000), Karuzela (Ksigarnia Akademicka, 2005) and Rzenie brukselskie (Ksigarnia Akademicka, 2008)

Mary Madeleine Grayna Wojcieszko (Ona umara!... s- smutniejsze zgony? C.K. Norwid) (kiedy) kad si do ka z tym i tamtym sowem (bez przerwy s powody aby si (pod)dawa) pac mi rnie opaca si zawsze (i to nie tak) nie uczciwie w geometrycznym trjkcie ng z fontann w rodku Nie, ja chodz z (wywieszon) tabliczk gry i szczyty (marze) na (wy)sprzeda lizgam jzykiem po paskiej gadkiej beznadziei za troch (pod)lizania (z wiankiem na gowie) gaskania pirem twego ego wchodz na wierzchoki kupek czego tego niweluj do szeregu nie jak Maria Magdalena tylko raz Mary a raz Madeleine

The latter a Silesius Poetry Prize contender in 2008 was translated as Les abattoirs de Bruxelles by Alain van Crugten 26

Polski

Mary Madeleine Grayna Wojcieszko (Elle est morte !y a-t-il des dcs plus tristes ? C.K. Norwid) au lit (quand) je couche avec tel et tel mot (sans cesse de bonnes raisons pour s/se aban/donner) on me paie diversement mais a paie toujours (mais ce nest pas ainsi) non, honntement dans le triangle isocle des jambes avec la fontaine au milieu Non, moi javance en arborant un panonceau montagnes et sommets (des rves) vendre solder je glisse la langue sur la surface lisse et plate du dsespoir pour un petit lchage de bottes (moi couronne de fleurs) une caresse de plume sur ton ego je grimpe au fate de petits tas de choses jaunes je me nivle je me range non comme une Marie-Madeleine mais tantt Mary tantt Madeleine
Traduction franaise : Alain van Crugten

and published in 2011. Her poems have also been published in SueciaPolonia with Swedish translations by Jurek Hirschberg. The poet has read in many poetry festivals throughout Europe and, with Adam Prucnal, has created a musicand-poetry event, performed all over the world. Highly qualified in a variety of fields, she has worked at the European Commission since 1990. 27

Slovenina

Oncetherelived aHungarianking...
traditionalfolksong,arranged byZuzanaHomolov sungbyPeterBalla

Back in the olden days before the advent of TV and radio, with no newspapers available, people may have felt time hanging heavy on their hands.Becausepeopleareonlyhuman,andourancestorslovedgossipjust asmuchaswedo.(Question1:Whichsellbetterinyourcountrytabloids orquality newspapers?)So wedontknowwhether thestory recounted in this humble ballad is true or not. What we do know, however, is that the Hungarians had kings who sometimes got bored and went out hunting. Andwildanimalswerenottheironlyquarry.Yousee,thekinginoursong wasaladiesman.(Question2:Werentmostofthem?)Quiteasuccessful one,truthtotell,ashehadallthewomenhecouldgethishandson,apart fromthereevesdaughter.Sheclearlywasntthatsortofgirl.Heprobably spentmanysleeplessnightsdevisinghisstrategy.Butintheendhedecided toaskawiseoldwomanforadvice.Andthatswhereoursongbegins.She toldhimtodressupasawomanandpayavisittothereeve.Afterawarm welcomeandsupper,thereevetoldhisdaughtertomakeupherbed,asthe guestwasabouttoshareitwithher.Thedaughterwassurprised,asshehad neverheardoftwoladiessleepinginonebedbefore.Butshewasadutiful daughterandwouldneverletherfatherdown.Weallknowwhathappened next.Andherparentsweresoontofindout,becauseshecriedallthetime afterwards.Oneyearafterthevisit,shefoundherselfholdingababyinher arms.

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Slovenina

The song ends with her murmuring softly to her son: Hush, hush, little baby, your father is the King of Hungary. You may be wondering why a SlovakwouldpickasongaboutaHungarianking.Well,thepoorgirlwasof Slovakorigin.See,theresonemorereasontoloveournation. PeterBalla

Zuzana Homolov (64) is a Slovak folk singer. She has always loved going back into the past and exploring folk songs (especially ballads), arranging them with her very own deft touch and introducing them to the presentday public. Her music is far from mainstream and relatively few Slovaks know it and listen to it, but she has nonetheless managed to ignite a spark of growing interest among young people who appreciate her music as a real alternative to contemporary pop. Homolov therefore remains one of the greatest ambassadors of the Slovak musicalheritage.

ZuzanaHomolov
29

Eestikeel

Itwouldbe noexaggerationto say that Juhan Liiv has the same significance for Estonian culture that Federico Garca Lorca and T.S. Eliot have for modern culture created, respectively, in Spanish and English. 30

Lehedlangsid Tuulehooglivetesse, lehedlangsidlaintesse: lainedolidtuhakarva, taevasletinakarva, tuhakarvasgise Seeolihmusdamel: slolidtundedtuhakarva, taevasletinakarva, tuhakarvasgise. Tuulehktijahutuse, leinalainedlahutuse: sgisejasgise sbradteineteisele JuhanLiiv (18641913) readbyLeilaAnupold

Eestikeel

LeavesFell Agustrousedthewaves, leavesblewintothewater, thewaveswereashgrey, theskytingrey, ashgreytheautumn. Itwasgoodformyheart: theremyfeelingswereashgrey, theskytingrey, ashgreytheautumn. Thebreathofwindbroughtcoolerair, thewavesofmourningbroughtseparation: autumnandautumn befriendeachother. translatedbyH.L.HixandJ.Talvet

Liiv`s existentialpatriotic and intimate nature lyrics have left their imprint on Estonian society as a whole. Liiv meditates on the borders of one`s personal existence in the images of his poetry. His poems are simple and homely rather than sophisticated, welcoming rather than imposing. One senses the depthsandmysteriesonlyafter oneiswelcomedinside.

31

Nederlands Robot het is de robot in mij die kraakt die sputtert die wraakt die tuttert de machine binnenin zonder olie zonder smeer zonder folie zonder meer losgekoppelde ledematen ontregeld ontstemd ontzegeld ontremd toch zal de panter in mij weer sluipen weer zweten weer zuipen weer vreten. Bellen blazen als vissen konden schrijven wat zou het water ons vertellen? als bomen konden dichten hoe klonken de verzen van hun bladeren? als spinnen konden zingen welke liederen zouden klinken uit de snaren van hun web? als wolken konden dansen welke walsen zag ik draaien in de balzaal van de lucht? als mensen konden denken welke wijsheid zag ik wenken in het simpelste gebaar?

I started writing short stories as a kid. As a teenager, I started a diary which I still keep up. My poet friends have forbidden me ever to write poems, but I like to experiment with language. The two short examples here came out of my habit of 'doodling' with words during meetings. I also write short stories and regularly send them to friends. Frans Nijs

32

Nederlands Robot it is the robot in me that creaks that sputters that leaks that mutters the machine within oil-less grease-less foil-less pointless disconnected limbs disrupted disgruntled dis-sealed dis-braked yet the panther in me will creep again sweat again slake its thirst again gorge again Bubbles if fish could write what story would water tell us? if trees could write poetry how would the verses sound that were whispered by their leaves? if spiders could sing what songs would resound from the strings of their webs? if clouds could dance what waltzes would I see whirling in the ballroom of the sky? if people could think what wisdom would I see waving in the simplest gesture?

The Lighthouse by Edward Hopper

33

Portugus

assim que respiro

A celebration of the poetry of Nuno Morais
Nuno Rocha Morais was born in 1973, in Oporto, Portugal. He worked as a translator for the European Commission from 1999 until June 2008, when he passed away in Luxembourg. Nuno, our Nuno, was a silent poet. Although we worked together for almost ten years, nobody knew anything about his poetry. His first collection of poems was published posthumously (ltimos Poemas, Nuno Rocha Morais, Quasi Edies, 2009). It is a real literary treasure trove. When the Directorate-General for Translation asked us for a contribution to mark the 2012 European Day of Languages, we could think of no better way of doing so than by sharing this treasure with you. All of you.
Maria Lusa Cabaos Melio Maria Eduarda de Macedo Luxembourg, 25 September 2012

Resposta
assim que respiro, No te sei dizer mais: Respiro como me ensinaste.

34

Portugus

Answer
Its thus that I breathe And thats all I can tell you: I breathe the way I learned from you.
Translation: Andrew Evans

Rponse
C'est ainsi que je respire Je ne peux rien te dire de plus: Je respire comme tu me l'as appris.
Traduction : Stphane Maccione

Antwort
So atme ich nun. Mehr kann ich dazu Dir nicht sagen: Ich atme, wie Du es mich gelehrt hast.
bersetzung: Ursula Stillfried

35

Dansk

Sommersalme
1. Det dufter lysegrnt af grs I grft og mark og enge, Og vinden kysser klit og ns Og reder urtesenge. Guds sol gr ind I krop og sind Forkynder, at nu kommer En varm og lys skrsommer.
Johannes Johansen (1925 2012) was appointed Bishop of Elsinore in 1980. The author of several collections of hymns and poems, he is represented in the official Danish hymnbook. He also published a collection of prayers to be used in church services. 36

3. Ja, du gr alting nyt p jord En sommer fuld af nde! Men klarest lyser dog dit ord af krlighedens gde. Alt kd bli'r h Hver blomst m d Nr vissentrt str floret, Da blomstrer evigt: Ordet!

2. Hr fugletungers tusindfryd Fra morgen og til aften. De kappes om at give lyd, Der priser skaberkraften. Hvert kim og kryb I jordens dyb En livsfryd i sig mrker S hj som himlens lrker.

sung by Ditte Junge

Dansk

Summer Hymn 1. The scent of new grass in our land In dyke and mead and field Wafts cool and green o'er dunes and strand O'er wheat and rye and weald. Thy sun beams gold On young and old Proclaiming warmth and light For summer's now in sight. 2. Of birds a joyous airborne throng Give tongue from morn to night Vying to praise in glorious song The great Creator's might. In deep dark earth Each seed gives birth To life and joy as bright As larks in sunlit flight. 3. For Thine are all things new on earth, A summer full of grace! And Thy word it is that gives birth To love in this blest place. All flesh is grass, All life must pass, Each blossom, plant and bird, All that endures - Thy Word.

Free translation by Fiona Graham

Detail of The Larks Still Fly by Janice Lawrence 37

Romn IcannotsaythatIamapoet,asI only write from time to time and have not published any of my work... But I like to play with the music of words, with rhymes breezily following one another. I try to create strong images, as in this poem. It speaks of love throughthemetaphoroflightand is... un pome crit du temps o jtaistudiantedefranais 38

Fereastr

Marcuiesccaofereastrsublumin Nvalcndnoroas,cndsenin Unceralbastrucaremisenchin Marcuiesccaofereastritusfiidevin?

Fereastrdeschissprelanuridemaci Fereastrnchis,npalmaeizaci Limpedefereastrtiatncopaci ncanatuleitrist,iubite,decetaci?

Curgprinclepsidrlacrimireci Timpulnostrunctuatacolopeveci Defereastraluminmaidepartetutreci Pierzndutencea,maitristtentuneci.

Marcuiamcaofereastrsublumin Nvalcndnoroas,cndsenin Unceralbastrucaremisenchin Marcuiamcaofereastrituerailumin.

Romn

Fereastr

Jemarquetelleunefentresouslalumire Fouguetanttsereine,tanttnuageuse Uncieldazurquimevnre Jemarquetelleunefentreettuenseraislacause?

...quejaiprisbeaucoupdeplaisir traduirequelquevingtansaprs. IleanaBusuioc

Fentreouvertesurdeschampsdecoquelicots Fentreferme,danssapaumetuesmuet Clairefentretailledanslesbouleaux Danssoncadretriste,monamour,tunedismot?

Defroideslarmesscoulentdanslesablier Notretempsyestprisonnierpourtoujours Tutloignesdelafentrelumire Toujoursplustriste,danslesbrumestudisparais.

Jemarquaistelleunefentresouslalumire Fouguetanttnuageuse,tanttsereine Uncieldazurquimevnre Jemarquaistelleunefentreettutaislumire.

Aquarelle: AnaRalucaBusuioc 39

Romn NichitaStnescu

Emoiedetoamn NichitaStnescu Avenittoamna,acopermiinimacuceva, cuumbraunuicopacsaumaibinecuumbrata. Mtemcnamstemaivd,uneori, corsmicreascaripiascuitepnlanori, caisteascunzintrunochistrin, ielossenchidcuofrunzdepelin. iatuncimapropiidepietreitac, iaucuvinteleilenecnmare. uierlunaiorsarioprefac ntrodragostemare. performedbyDanielaBadea

(19331983) Nichita Stnescu was one of Romanias most highly acclaimed neomodern poets. Emoie de toamn (Autumn Emotion) was published in 1964,inhissecondcollectionof poems,Oviziuneasentimentelor (A Vision of Feelings). Some criticsconsideredhimtobeofa remarkable intensity and depth, one of those rare poets who dared innovate in their languageandart. 40

Romn

Emotiondautomne traductionparVirginiaPopescu,NicolePottier Lautomneestrevenu,couvremoncoeuravecnimportequoi aveclombredunarbreoumieuxencoreavectonombretoi Jaipeur,parfois,quandjenetevoisplus quenepoussentenmoidesailesaiguesjusquauxnues, quetunaillestecacherdansunoeiltranger, quipuissederrireunefeuilledabsinthesefermer Alorsjemetaisetjemapprochedespierres, jememparedesmots,jelesnoiedanslamer. Jesifflelalune,jelafaisselever, etdansunimmenseamoursemtamorphoser.
photoDanielaBadea Music(1984)NicuAlifantis

41

Deutsch

BertoltBrecht DasLiedvonderUnzulnglichkeitdesmenschlichenStrebens
sungbyLisaGalaski

Text: Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) the influential poet, playwright, and theatre director.

DerMenschlebtdurchdenKopf derKopfreichtihmnichtaus versuchesnur,vondeinemKopf lebthchstenseineLaus. DennfrdiesesLeben istderMenschnichtschlaugenug niemalsmerktereben allenLugundTrug.

Ja,rennnurnachdemGlck dochrennenichtzusehr! DennallerennennachdemGlck DasGlckrennthinterher. DennfrdiesesLeben istderMenschnichtanspruchslosgenug drumistallseinStreben nureinSelbstbetrug. DerMenschistgarnichtgut drumhauihnaufdenHut hastduihnaufdenHutgehaut dannwirdervielleichtgut. DennfrdiesesLeben istderMenschnichtgutgenug darumhautihneben ruhigaufdenHut.

Music: Kurt Weill (1900-1950) composer, best known for his collaborations with Brecht, such as the Threepenny Opera, from which this song is taken. 42

Ja,machnureinenPlan seinureingroesLicht! UndmachdannnochnenzweitenPlan gehntunsiebeidenicht. DennfrdiesesLeben istderMenschnichtschlechtgenug: dochseinhhresStreben isteinschnerZug.

Deutsch

BertoltBrecht SongoftheInsufficiencyofHumanEndeavour
translatedby.RalphManheim&JohnWillett

Mankindlivesbyitshead Itsheadwontseeitthrough Inspectyourown.Whatlivesoffthat? Atmostalouseortwo. Forthisbleakexistence Manisneversharpenough Hencehisweakresistance Toitstricksandbluff. Aye,makeyourselfaplan Theyneedyouatthetop! Thenmakeyourselfasecondplan Thenletthewholethingdrop. Forthisbleakexistence Manisneverbadenough Thoughhissheerpersistence Canbelovelystuff.

Aye,raceforhappiness Butdontyouracetoofast, Whenallstartchasinghappiness Happinesscomesinlast. Forthisbleakexistence Manisneverundemandingenough Allhisloudinsistence Isaloadofguff. SinceManisfarfromgood justhithimonthehead Agoodsmackonthehood mightmakehimbetterbred. Forthisbleakexistence Manisnevergoodenough Socalmlytakeyourstance Seeifhisskullistough.
*(ThislaststanzaisLisasowntranslation.)

Illustration Cordelia von Klot

Both my parents taught German literature and, now 85, still go to the theatre. When little, I would sing Der Mensch lebt durch den Kopf with Dad and think it the height of pleasurable nonsense. 43

Espaol Kriegbourg extracttranslatedfromRomanianintoSpanishandadaptedbyMarianoMartnRodrguez

Gheorghe Ssrman (1941) is one of the leading Romanian writers of speculative fiction. His most famous work is Cuadratura cercului (1975/2001; Squaring the Circle), a set of brief stories, each about a different city like Italo Calvinos Invisible Cities, but with a Borgesian twist. It has beentranslatedintoFrenchand Spanish, and a US edition, translated by Ursula K. Le Guin,isduein2013. 44

AldiabloexclamRichard,conlamanodeviserasobrelosojos.Novendra malexplorardecercaeltesorodeesasbuenasgentes. Laenseaazulconrosassedesplegflameantealgaloperuidosodelossementales. Con las viseras bajadas, los caballeros se precipitaron hacia la puerta ms cercana. Losdefensores,desprevenidos,habanolvidadolevantarelpuente:loscentinelasse haban dormido en sus puestos. El asedio fue terrible. Hasta que se calent el alquitrn,hastaquehirvieronelaceiteyelagua,hastaquesejuntlaguardia,los atacantes haban conquistado el primer bastin y se haban abierto camino por la fortaleza. Se desat una carnicera espantosa entre aquellos muros. Los atacados lucharonencarnizadamenteyningunodeellossedejatraparvivo.Cedieronpalmo apalmo,casaacasa,cubriendodecadveressuscallesangostas. Cuando,trascincodasycinconochesdefuror,elltimodefensorsecortelcuello conlaespada,paranorendirse,laciudadtenaunaspectosiniestro.Portodaspartes yacan cadveres en descomposicin y el viento llevaba el hedor a todos los rincones. Los pavorosos vencedores, apestando a sangre, sudor y ajo, barbudos y enardecidos por el alcohol, hicieron su entrada triunfal en los aposentos de las llorosas viudas, las tumbaron sobre los gruesos almohadones y las consolaron con muchaconviccin. Meparecequedecasalgodeuntesoromurmurelprncipe.Richardgrui: Cofresllenosderiquezasnosesperanenelstanodelayuntamiento.

Espaol Kriegbourg(extract)

Thedevilwithit,Richardsaid,shadinghiseyeswithhishand.Itwontbeeasy togetacloselookatthesegoodfolkstreasury. The blue flag with its roses flew out gallantly with the resounding gallop of the warhorses.Visorslowered,theknightsstormedthenearestgate.Takenbysurprise, the citys defenders had neglected to raise the drawbridge, and the sentinels were asleepattheirposts.Theassaultwasterrific.Beforethepitchwasheated,beforethe oilandwaterwereboiling,beforetheguardshadgathered,theattackershadtaken the first bastion and cleared their way into the citadel. A hideous butchery took placewithinthosewalls.Thedefendersfoughtsavagely,andnotonelethimselfbe taken alive. They gave way step by step, house by house, filling the narrow ways withcorpses. Afterfivedaysandfivenightsofmayhemthelastdefendercuthisownthroatwith hisswordratherthansurrender.Bythenthecitywasasinistersight.Decomposing bodieslayeverywhere,andthewindcarriedthefoulodorintoeverycorner. The fearsome conquerors, stinking of blood, sweat, and garlic, unshaven, emboldenedbydrink,madetheirtriumphalentryintotheboudoirsoftheweeping widows, tumbled them onto plump cushions and consoled them with great conviction. I believe you said something about treasure, the prince murmured. Richard groaned. Coffers full of riches, all locked away, waiting for us in the vaults under the city hall

Mariano Martn Rodrguez (1966) has translated several books from Romanian into Spanish. Among them, Ssrmans Cuadratura cercului waspublishedbyLaBiblioteca delLaberintoin2010underthe titleofLacuadraturadelcrculo.

45

Latvieuvaloda Uldis Brzi

Uldis Brzi

Vasaras lietus
Tas vasaras lietus kas pa pasauli klaio Tas vasaras lietus kas pa drzu brad Tas lietus kas aiz loga mjas Tas vasaras lietus Lai ienk istab. Atver logu lai istab ienk vasaras lietus Un reiz ar viu T pavadoi Smaras. Brua smara kua smara zemes smara namu smara parku smara arku smara rceu smara plceu gara dmu smara krmu smara prieu smara bieu smara ntru smara truma un lnuma smara saules smara nu smara karpu smara arbzu smaravesela bara. ujorkas Majorkas un Jorkas Vidusjras un Singapras Rostokas Vladivostokas Stambulas un Dambulas Sahalnas un nas visddks smaras Ir vasaras lietum azot. Un viena asa smara kas pst. T ir asiu.

performed by Kristine Elksne in Luxembourg and by Anete Korpa in Brussels.

46

Latvieuvaloda

Uldis Brzi

Summer Rain
That rain that roams the world That rain that splashes in the yard That rain that hesitates behind the window That summer rain Should come inside. Open the window and let the summer rain inside And also its Trusted companions Smells. The smell of the street of the fleet of earth of buildings of parks of arks of potatoes of tomatoes of smoke of oak of pine of brine of nettle the smell of speed and of slowness the smell of the sun of shadow of carp of melon a whole host of smells. Of New York Mallorca and York of the Mediterranean and Caribbean of Istanbul and Liverpool of Berlin and Sakhalin, all those smells Come along with the rain. Also one sharp smell that rots.

Of blood.
English translation by Ieva Leinska

Latvian poet and translator Uldis Brzi was born in 1944 in Riga. He studied Latvian philology at the University of Latvia (1962-64). His first poems were published in 1963, his first poetry collection in 1980. Brzi translates and renders poems from Slavonic and Semitic languages, Turkish, Iranian, German and other tongues, and is regarded as one of the most significant contemporary translators, with an influence on many poets in both writing poetry and translating. This is the first section of a longer poem called Summer Rain which evokes the suffering, sadness and despair brought by war and holocaust. 47

Gaeilge

Thesongisbothby,andabout, amonn Riain, an aristocrat who lived in County Tiobraid rann in 16701704. He fought for the Catholic King James II against the Protestant King William in 168991, but lost, andhislandswereconfiscated. OptingnottogotoFrancewith his 14,000 comrades, he stayed in Ireland to conduct guerrilla warfare. In this song his girlfriend refuses to let him in, as she fears that the English couldshootbothofthem. 48

amonnanChnoic Chsinamuighabhfuilfaobhararaghuth agrabadhmodhoraisdhnta? MiseamonnanChnoicatbitefuarfliuch shorshilslibhteisgleannta. Alaodhilisachuid,cadadhanfainnsedhuit muragcuirinnortbeinndemghna isgobhfuilpdargotiubhshorshideadhleat isgombeimisaraonmchta. Isfadamiseamuighfaoishneachtaisfaoishioc isgandnachtagamaraonneach, mosheisreachganscor,mobhranarganchur isganiadagaminaonchor. Nlcaraidagam,isdanaidliomsan aghlacfadhmmochndanach, isgogcaithfidhmdultharfarraigesoir sannnfuilaondemghaolta. performedbySenRiain

Gaeilge

amonnoftheHill Ohwhoiswithout,thatwithpassionateshout Keepsbeatingmybolteddoor? IamamonnoftheHill,tired,wetandchill Fromlongtrudgingmarshandmoor. Mylove,fondandtrue,whatelsecouldIdo Butshieldyoufromwindandfromweather? Whentheshotsfalllikehail,theyusbothshallassail Andperhapsweshalldietogether. Throughforestandthroughsnow,tiredandhuntedIgo Infearbothfromfriendandfromneighbour. Myhorsesrunwild,myacresuntilled, Andtheyallofthemlosttomylabour. Butitgrievesmefarmorethanthelossofmystore Thattheresnonewhowouldshieldmefromdanger. Somyfateitmustbetofareeastwardoersea Andlanguishamidthestranger.
LyricstranslatedandadaptedfromvariousversionsbySenRiain 49

Clirseachnahireann (Irishharp) CogadhandR (WilliamiteWar) 168891

Gaeilge

Bogbraondonseanduine1
I

Bogbraon,bogbraon,bogbraondonseanduine, Bogbraon,bogdeoch,isbogbraondonseanduine.
Is as Cil Aodha i nGaeltacht Mhscra i gContae Chorca in Iardheisceart na hireann do Chormac hAodha. T cil i gcian is i gcngar ar mhuintir Chil Aodha go hirithe as fairsinge str amhrn agus binneas ceoil na namhrn sin. Ttiragmrnbailitheoirar an dthaigh le fada an l. Amhrn simpl is ea an suantra seo at coitianta go fillsacheantaragusaonitgo mbonn pist gcur a chodladh. 50

Cuirachodladh,cuirachodladh,cuirachodladhanseanduine,2 Cuirachodladhisnighachosaisbogbraondonseanduine.
II

Ubhchirce,ubhchirce,ubhchircedonseanduine, Ubhchirceisblirnimeisthabhairtdonseanduine.

Cuirachodladh,cuirachodladh,cuirachodladhanseanduine, Cuirachodladhisnighachosaisbogbraondonseanduine.

Gaeilge
III

Feoilr,feoilr,feoilrdonseanduine, Feoilrisbraonspisathabhairtdonseanduine.

Cuirachodladh,cuirachodladh,cuirachodladhanseanduine, Cuirachodladhisnighachosaisbogbraondonseanduine. ______________

Nta 1

FR:Unpetitverrepourlepetitbonhomme/ Unpetitverrepourlevieilhomme(traductionlittrale)

EN:Alittledrinkforthelittlebaby/ Alittledrinkfortheoldman(literaltranslation)

FR:Endormi,endormi,endormilepetitbonhommeetc. EN:Puttosleep,puttosleep,puttosleepthelittlebabyetc.

Cormac hAodha comes from the Irish speaking area (Gaeltacht) of Mscra in Co. Cork which is in the southwest of Ireland. The area has a long and rich Irish language song tradition and many songs have been collected there both prior to and since the introduction of audio recordings. Bog braon don seanduineisasimplesongwhich remains popular today in the area and anywhere little children are goingofftosleep. 51

Italiano

Nuovagrammaticafinlandese(brano)

If the setup reminds one of that of Ondaatjes The English Patient, I would venture to say that this novel is far more profound and far less stylistically irritating and inflated with selfesteem. This is a novel which wants to say what it has to say at its own pace, but without overstaying itswelcome(itsonly187pages long, but the pages are worth lingering over). Nicholas Lezard,TheGuardian 52

NonavevomaipensatochelaparolaRaamattuderivadaGrammatica.Euna di quelle palesi evidenze cui si finisce per non fare pi caso. Eppure forse questo la dice lunga sul devoto amore per la propria lingua che distingue ognifinlandese.PernoilalinguaparoladiDio,anchequandoinDiononsi crede, e la grammatica una scienza esatta, fatta di significati commensurabili e retta da teoremi incontestabili. La parola corretta d armoniaalpensiero,gliconferiscelamatematicaineluttabilitdellamusica. Maogniepocasuonamusichediverseeaccordiuntempodiabolicioranon fanno pi paura a nessuno. Non esiste larmonia eterna: come tutto quello che appartiene a questo mondo, alla lunga anche i suoni si consumano e luomo deve inventarne degli altri per riuscire a tenere la testa fuori dal silenzio.Quelchepernoioggimusica,centoannifaerarumore.Lerroredi ieri oggi solo uninnocente eccezione. La regola viene sempre dopo la parola: questa la grande debolezza di ogni grammatica. La regola non ordine, soltanto la descrizione di un disordine. Come tutto quel che proprio delluomo, anche la lingua si trasforma e perseguirne la purezza insensatoquantoperseguirelapurezzadellarazza.Ilinguistidiconochela linguatendeviaviaasemplificarsi,aesprimereilmassimosignificatoconil minimo ingombro di suoni. E cos che le parole pi corte sono quelle pi antiche,picorrosedaltempo.[]

Italiano

NewFinnishGrammar(excerpttranslatedbyJudithLandry)

IhadneverrealizedthatthewordRaamattuderivedfromGrammar.Itisone of those things that is so utterly obvious that you fail to notice them. Yet perhaps it tells us a lot about the Finns own deep love of their own language.Forus,languageisthewordofGod,evenwhenyoudontbelieve in him, and grammar is an exact science, made up of commensurable meanings and based on unquestionable theorems. The right word gives thought a sense of harmony, the mathematical inevitability of music. But eachageplaysdifferentmusic,andchordswhichwereonceregardedasthe workofthedevilnolongerfrightenanyone.Thereisnosuchthingaseternal harmony:likeeverythingelseinthisworld,soundstoohavetheirday,and man has to invent new ones in order to ward off silence. What we today regard as music would have been seen as noise a hundred years ago. Yesterdaysmistakeisjusttodaysharmlessoddity.Therulealwayssucceeds theword:thisisthegreatweaknessofallgrammar.Theruleisnotorder,it is just a description of some form of disorder. Like everything peculiar to man,languagetoochanges,andtostriveforlinguisticpurityisassenseless as to strive for its racial equivalent. Linguists say that all languages tend towardssimplification,aimingtoexpressthemaximumofpossiblemeaning throughthefewestpossiblesounds.Sotheshortestwordsarealsotheoldest, themostwornawaybytime.[]

Diego Marani was born in Ferrara, Italy, in 1959. He is a Commission policy officer in charge of EU multilingualism policy. He is the author of several novels and essays which have been translated into a number of languages, including the highly acclaimed, prize winning New Finnish Grammar andTheLastoftheVostyachs.

53

Catal Musicandlyricsby LluisLlach

Tata Elteucabellsunniublanc onsencalmaeltemps iencadarullhidormelgest dunahirviscut, nomselsullsmstendres, elsmsnets, sabranmirarelteusecret. Elsegleitureuinfants alcarrerdelMar, ellvajurarte,enamorat, morirambelteutemps, tuacanvilifariesunmnmillor... Agulla,fil,ielteucor, agulla,fil,ielteucor Lacasaapropdelmarobertaalsol ialombradelrecord vasbrodantundestmillor lacasaapropdelmarobertaalsol. Thasvestitsempreamblabondat pelfreddelshumans eltempshadibuixatjoiells alatevapell isisdiumenge mudeselsteusulls ambelrecorddelamat... Elsegleitusereudem alcarrerdelMar etveurhermosaambelsteusanys, sempreenamorat sabentquehasfetelmn tantmsbonic... Agulla,fil,ielteucor Aquestrellotgeanticdesuaubatec quemesuralatendresa idiulhoradelamormsdol. aquestrellotgeanticdesuaubatec.

LluisLlachistheyoungest memberoftheSetzejutges (SevenJudges)group, composedofsixteenpoetsand songwriterswhobecamea referenceforCatalanmusic andculturefromtheearly sixties. performedby XavierValeriCobo andLuisaFeliu 54

Catal

Oldwoman
Yourhairisnowanestofwhite, wheretimestandsstill andineachcurlwefindatrace ofthelifeyouvelived onlytheclearest andthefondesteyes canseethesecretsyoubear Thecenturyandyouwerechildrenonce, ontheoldsearoad. Hewasinlove,hepromisedyou: youdliveaslong if,inreturn,youdmaketheworld abetterplace withneedle,thread,andallyourheart, withneedle,thread...andallyoursoul. Yourhousestandsbythesea,facetothesun, intheshadeofmemorythere yousitsewingabetterday. Yourhousestandsbythesea,facetothesun. Youreclothedingoodness,wrapped againstthecoldofhumanhearts; yourfaceiscrownedbyjewels, drawnbypassingtime andwheneachSundaycomes, youveilyoureyes, wearingthememoryofyourlove. Thecenturyandyoutomorrowmeet ontheoldsearoad. Hellfindyoubeautifultoday, hesstillinlove: heknowsyouvemadetheworld abetterplace withneedle,thread,andallyourheart, withneedle,thread...andallyoursoul. Theoldclockticksthecenturyaway tothetimeoftenderness tothebeatofthesweetestlove. Itstandsandticksthecenturyaway.

Llach, com Dal, s fill de lEmpord, la regi nord oriental de Catalunya, sovint batudapelventdetramuntana, amb una llum tan intensa com la de Tipasa i amb una costa tanirrepetiblecomtoteslesque vandAlgesiresaIstanbul.

EnglishtranslationbyPeterDriver

55

Slovenina

Vsavametujeprila, seusedlanarobpostelje inrekla: Semizzlata. Nisojehoteli. Zdelasejimje brezboga invsazla. Vsavametu jeodla. Brezvsega.

Gospod! Poklicalsime insemprila. Pustilsimehoditi popesku,soncuintravi. Hodilsizmenoj, klicalsime, nisemtesliala. Tedajsime ovignilzrokoresnice inmeposlalvogenj aliled, sajnevemve. Vemle, damijehudo indanitegatrebabilo. Alipa?

BrankaGolobi
56

Slovenina

Lord! Youcalledme AndIcame. Youletmewalk Onthesand,onthegrass,inthesun. Youwalkedwithme, Youkeptcallingme. Ididnothearyou. Thenyoustruckme Withthehandoftruth Andsentmeintofire Orice, Inolongerknowwhich. ButIknow ThatIfeelpain Andthatitwasnotnecessary. Orwasit?

Shecamedressedinvelvet Satontheedgeofthebed Andsaid: Iammadeofgold. Theydidnotwanther. Sheseemedso WithoutGod Andsostrikinglywrong. Dressedinvelvet Sheleft. Withouteverything.

Branka Golobi writes lyric poetry expressing personal emotions. These two poems speak about perception: about the way the author felt the importantadultsinherlifehad perceived her and about the time later in her life when her own perception of suffering shifted. English translation by the author 57

Slovenina VeraPejovi Ne KoperCapodistria en Slovnie; vit au Luxembourg depuis2004. Elle a, jusqu prsent, publi un recueil de pomes Devica in samorog (La Vierge et la Licorne)etsaposieestpublie dans de nombreuses anthologies et revues littraires. Ses pomes sont traduits vers litalien, lallemand,langlais,lefranais, le serbe et le croate, le macdonien et le bulgare. Elle critettraduitdelaposie.

VeraPejovi Potrebujemtvojosvetlobo,sirekel
Mojasvetlobajeostalavtemnigladiniribnika,predenvzideluna. Mojasvetlobajeostalazazavesovmranisobi,predenseprigelu. Potrebujemtvojosvetlobo,sirekel. Nisirekel,elimsitvojetoplekoe,tvojihgorkihpoljubov. Jazpasemmolalainsenisempremaknila,sajjemojetelobiloteka rnakepasmole. Mojaustasobilazapeatenaglasusenislialo,invendarsogovorila: KrvaviPotok,rniKal,rnagora,Beleskale. Sanjalasem,ja,dvakratsemvnekajletihsanjala,davojakikorakajo skozimojohio, inbilistaenavojnazadrugo. Potemsemseletatreslaodstrahu,akalatretjezloveesanje inmojetelojekrepenelo,zgostilosejevrnokeposmole.

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Slovenina

Takratsiprielti. Potrebujemtvojosvetlobo,sirekelinvgalvskaloAndrejevkri. Govorilsi,sajrazgovoririprostor,dalahkoteloplee. Gledalsi,sajpoglediboajoteloinspijejoboleino. Sipalsisladkizrak,kiprebudidomiljijo,datazanetvoritioblike, kotjihtvorijosteklopihai. Izpeskanastajasteklo,prosojnoinlahko,dihvnjemporajaoblike. Sstiskomdlanisipregnalstrahizmojegatelesa, dajetopostalolahnoinmujedihvtisnilobliko. Potemsiodel.Jazsemostala.Gledamezmorje.Nikjernividetizemlje. Vetermizavrinadglavo.Boljslutimkotsliimbesede: KrvaviPotok,rniKal,rnagora,Beleskale. Veterpotihne,takratpamojaustajasnospregovorijo: Selimspticaminajug,selimsespticaminajug.

59

Vladimir Vysotsky appears in this programme for both aestheticandsymbolicreasons. Theaestheticvalueofhislyrics isclearforalltoseeheranks among the greatest singing poets of the 20th century. In purely linguistic terms, his works perfectly exemplify the poetic, emotional and melodious qualities of Slavic languages. Thesymbolicvalueofthelyrics lies in the truth of this song. The poetic images Vysotsky uses convey the same meaning despair. 60

Mygypsysong (variationsongypsythemes) musicandlyrics:VladimirVysotsky Throughmydreamsablindinglight,andavoiceismoaning Nottonight!Pleasenottonight!Illbefinecomemorning. Butthemorningsjustasbad,allthefunisover Chokingonacigarette,toastingmyhangover. Inthetavernpainonice,venisoninseason Foolsandbeggarsparadiseandmywideopenprison inthechurchitsdampandgrey,candlesglowlikerubies No,thechurchisnottheway,notthewayitshouldbe songperformedbyPeterBalla

Upthehill,notimetostop,bettersafethansorry Theresanalderupontop,anddownbelowacherry Drapetheslopewithmossatleast,makeitlooklessshabby Buteverythingsthewayitis,andnotthewayitshouldbe Wayacrosstherivershadowsloom.God,whereareyouhiding? Inthemeadowsbluebellsbloomandtheroadiswinding Woodsaredeeparoundthebend,fullofwitcheslurking Andifyoumakeittotheend,theresahangmansmirking Horsesprancingfaraway,beautifulandbashful Itsallwrongalongtheway,andintheendespecially Wellyoucandrinkoryoucanpray,wontdoyouanygood No,myfriends,itsnottheway,notthewayitshouldbe. Englishtranslation:MikaTubinshlak

Isntitthecasethatmanyofus are searching for something (movingfromonelifestage,or from one place to another, just likegypsies),buttheonlything we discover is that nothing (or verylittle)inthisworldisasit should be? But dont mistake this for the fake despair of a loser who just complains without doing anything to better his lot. No, this is genuine despair stemming from the impossibility of changing basic human nature. Perhaps this will be different one day, when mankind as a wholefinallymatures. Vysotsky died young simply because he was burnt out. The flame in him was everlasting, buthisbodyjustcouldntcope anymore. 61

English

Introductionto UnderMilkWood
byDylanThomas(19141953) Tobeginatthebeginning: Itisspring,moonlessnightinthesmalltown,starlessandbibleblack,the cobblestreetssilentandthehunched,courtersandrabbitswoodlimping invisible down to the sloeblack, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat bobbingsea.Thehousesareblindasmoles(thoughmolesseefinetonight in the snouting, velvet dingles) or blind as Captain Cat there in the muffledmiddlebythepumpandthetownclock,theshopsinmourning, the Welfare Hall in widows weeds. And all the people of the lulled and dumbfoundtownaresleepingnow. Hush,thebabiesaresleeping,thefarmers,thefishers,thetradesmenand pensioners,cobbler,schoolteacher,postmanandpublican,theundertaker and the fancy woman, drunkard, dressmaker, preacher, policeman, the webfootcocklewomenandthetidywives.[.]

Two years before his death at 39, Dylan Thomas wrote of his plan to completearadioplay,animpression forvoices,anentertainmentoutofthe darkness,ofthetownIlivein,andto write it simply and warmly and comically with lots of movement and varietiesofmood().Thisportrayal of an imaginary Welsh seaside town becameUnderMilkWood.

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English

ExtraitdeAuBoisLact
traductionparJacquesB.Brunius Pourcommencerparlecommencement:cestnuitdeprintempssanslune dans le petit bourg, sans toiles et noirdebible, dans les rues aux pavs ronds,silencieuses,etdansleboisbossu,boisdesamoureuxetdeslapins, qui boitille imperceptiblement jusqu la mer noirprunelle, lente, noire, noircorbeau, agite de bateaux de pche. Les maisons sont aveugles commedestaupes(encorequelestaupesvoienttrsclaircettenuitdansle velours reniflant des vallons), aveugles comme laveugle Captain Cat, l, aucentreassourdidelaville,prsdelapompeetdelhorlogemunicipale, olesboutiquessontendeuillesetlaSalledesFtesenvoiledeveuve.Et tousleshabitantsdubourgapaisetappesantidormentpourlinstant. Chut!Lesbbsdorment,lesfermiers,lespcheurs,lesmarchandsetles retraits, le cordonnier, linstituteur, le facteur et laubergiste, lentrepreneur de pompes funbres et la femme de peu, livrogne, la couturire,leprdicateur,lagentdepolice,lesmarchandesdecoquesaux piedspalmsetlespousessoigneuses.[]

Llareggub photo:FionaGraham readbyFionaGraham

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English

Jim WhoranawayfromhisNurseandwaseatenbyaLion
TherewasaBoywhosenamewasJim; HisFriendswereverygoodtohim. TheygavehimTea,andCakes,andJam, AndslicesofdeliciousHam, AndChocolatewithpinkinside AndlittleTricyclestoride, AndreadhimStoriesthroughand through, AndeventookhimtotheZoo ButthereitwasthedreadfulFate Befellhim,whichInowrelate. Youknoworatleastyououghtto know, ForIhaveoftentoldyouso ThatChildrenneverareallowed ToleavetheirNursesinaCrowd NowthiswasJimsespecialFoible, Heranawaywhenhewasable. Andonthisinauspiciousday Heslippedhishandandranaway! HehadntgoneayardwhenBang! WithopenJaws,alionsprang, Andhungrilybegantoeat TheBoy:beginningathisfeet. Now,justimaginehowitfeels Whenfirstyourtoesandthenyour heels, Andthenbygradualdegrees, Yourshinsandankles,calvesandknees, Areslowlyeaten,bitbybit. NowonderJimdetestedit! Nowonderthatheshouted``Hi! TheHonestKeeperheardhiscry, Thoughveryfathealmostran Tohelpthelittlegentleman.

An AngloFrench writer, orator, poet, satirist, man of letters and political activist, Hilaire Belloc is probably best knowntodayforhiscautionary tales, which mine a peculiarly Englishseamofgrimhumour. 64

English ``Ponto!heorderedashecame (ForPontowastheLionsname), ``Ponto!hecried,withangryFrown, ``Letgo,Sir!Down,Sir!Putitdown! TheLionmadeasuddenstop, HelettheDaintyMorseldrop, AndslunkreluctanttohisCage, SnarlingwithDisappointedRage. ButwhenhebenthimoverJim, TheHonestKeepersEyesweredim. TheLionhavingreachedhisHead, TheMiserableBoywasdead! WhenNurseinformedhisParents,they WeremoreConcernedthanIcansay: HisMother,asshedriedhereyes, Said,``Wellitgivesmenosurprise, Hewouldnotdoashewastold! HisFather,whowasselfcontrolled, Badeallthechildrenroundattend ToJamessmiserableend, AndalwayskeepaholdofNurse Forfearoffindingsomethingworse.

readbyCarolineMcClelland

WhenIamdead,Ihopeitmaybesaid: Hissinswerescarlet,buthisbookswereread. HilaireBelloc(18701953)

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Svenska

Fredmanssngn:o21(Mltidssng)
Slunkavissmningom frnBacchibullerochtumult, nrddenropar:Granne,kom, ditttimglasrnufullt! Dugubbe,flldinkryckaner ochdu,duyngling,lydminlag: densknstanymfsomtdigler, inunderarmentag! Tyckerduattgravenrfrdjup, n,vlanstagdigdensup, tagdigsenditoen,ditotv,ditotre, sdrdunjdare! sungbyAnnaHolmn(Brussels) KarinFrieman,MaudHaglund,TeresePerrin,CristinaLagoLengquist, KristinaStefanssonandAlexandraProtopapadakis(Luxembourg)

A Swedish poet and composer, Carl Michael Bellman is a central figure in the Swedish song tradition. On the surface, his songs centre to a large extent on themes like the joy of drinking and the pursuit of sexual pleasure. Against this backdrop, however, he deals with the tender and fleeting themes of love, death, and the elusive qualities of the "present", the here-and-now, in a unique and moving manner. 66

Svenska

Awaywetrot
Awaywetrot,soon,everyone Fromthisournoisybacchanal, Whendeathcallsout,Goodneighbour,come Thinehourglass,friend,isfull! Oldfellow,letthycrutchesbe, Thouyoungster,too,mylawobey, Thesweetestnymphwhosmilesonthee Shalltakethinearmtoday. Isthegravetoodeep?Thentakeasip, Raisethebrimminggoblettothylip! Yetasip!Dittoone,dittotwo,dittothree. Thendiecontentedly. translatedbyMartinBest

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Acknowledgements

Booklet Coverdesign:ZetaField Foreword:AntoineCassar Editing:FionaGraham Layout:PeterDriver,Fiona Graham,AntoineCassar Artwork(Portuguesesection): RasaSakalait Incidentaltranslation:Fiona Graham,PeterDriver Typesetting:Philippe Marchetto

Performance Generalorganisation:LisaGalaski Introduction:RytisMartikonis Compre:DavidCrowther Musicalaccompaniment:PeterDriver,ChrisBirch Slides:PeterDriver Performers (in alphabetical order): Tassos Angelides, Leila Anupold, Clifton Azzopardi, Daniela Badea, ydra Bakutyt, Peter Balla, Ileana Busuioc, Maria Luisa Cabaos Melio, Maria Eduarda de Macedo, Kristine Elksne, LuisaFeliu,ChristineFostieri,KarinFrieman,LisaGalaski,BrankaGolobi, FionaGraham,MaudHaglund,AnnaHolmn,MarijanJelinek,DitteJunge, CristinaLagoLengquist,DiegoMarani,MarianoMartnRodrguez,Caroline McClelland, Frans Nijs, Iliya Patev, Vera Pejovi, Terese Perrin, Alexandra Protopapadakis, Valrie Rey, Kristina Stefansson, Desislava Tsvetkova, XavierValeriCobo,GraynaWojcieszko,ThomasZbelin. Logistics:VeraPejovi, RoxanaNicoletaTurtoi Posterdesign:ZetaFieldwithPhilippeMarchetto Specialthanksareduetothewriters,artistsandperformersfromoutsidethe DirectorateGeneralforTranslation(DGT)whocontributedtothisproject.

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