Skip to main content

Prizewinning translator Daniel Hahn in Conversation

Prizewinning translator Daniel Hahn discusses writing and publishing in translation

  • Date31 January 2020

Listen to a podcast recording of the writer and translator Daniel Hahn in conversation with Vayu Naidu, Royal Holloway’s Royal Literary Fund Fellow, 2019-20.

BOOKS Daniel Hahn JL 03 Cropped.jpg

Daniel Hahn. Photograph (c) John Lawrence.

Daniel Hahn is a British writer, editor and translator and former chair of the Society of Authors. He visited us on 22 January 2020 to talk about what it’s like today working in the writing and publishing sector, and about the many kinds of work he does with a range of organisations which support literature, reading and free expression.
Much of his own work has to do with international writing, and Daniel is himself the prizewinning translator of many innovative and trailblazing works. Among these A General Theory of Oblivion, by Angolan writer José Eduardo Agualusa, deals with the ghosts of empire which become those of decolonisation. It was shortlisted for the 2016 Man Booker International Prize and won the International Dublin Literary Award. Daniel discussed being both a writer and translator, what the ‘point’ of literature/creative work in translation is, and why it has just become even more vital to our sanity and social peace.

You can access and/or download the podcast here: https://backdoorbroadcasting.net/2020/01/daniel-hahn-translating-worlds-and-why-it-matters-writing-and-publishing-in-translation-in-the-uk-today/

Related topics

Explore Royal Holloway

Get help paying for your studies at Royal Holloway through a range of scholarships and bursaries.

There are lots of exciting ways to get involved at Royal Holloway. Discover new interests and enjoy existing ones.

Heading to university is exciting. Finding the right place to live will get you off to a good start.

Whether you need support with your health or practical advice on budgeting or finding part-time work, we can help.

Discover more about our academic departments and schools.

Find out why Royal Holloway is in the top 25% of UK universities for research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

Royal Holloway is a research intensive university and our academics collaborate across disciplines to achieve excellence.

Discover world-class research at Royal Holloway.

Discover more about who we are today, and our vision for the future.

Royal Holloway began as two pioneering colleges for the education of women in the 19th century, and their spirit lives on today.

We’ve played a role in thousands of careers, some of them particularly remarkable.

Find about our decision-making processes and the people who lead and manage Royal Holloway today.