There is a great deal of skill involved in effective language translation. Because businesses, governments and a range of other organisations – as well as many individuals – rely on the work of language translators to a great extent, there is a need for such people to be highly professional and accurate. In order to further the efforts of those involved in language translation, competitions are sometimes held to see who are the best in particular fields. As well as serving as an incentive for great work, this also provides those at the top of the discipline with the chance to get some well-deserved recognition.
One such contest which is currently underway involves identifying the best Latvian and Estonian language translator. The winner will be announced next month, The Baltic Course reports.Estonian foreign minister Urmas Paet and Latvian foreign minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis both announced the opening of the competition late last year.Mr Paet noted that the event is taking place for the second time. He remarked: “Recognising Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian translators is becoming an annual project. We hope that this year there will also be some Estonian translators among the candidates for the prize.”
He added that the two countries hope to inspire a new generation of youngsters to take up the career path.The politician, who is a member of the Estonian Reform Party, said: “The Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian translation award emphasises the importance of the Estonian and Latvian languages as well as cultural exchange in order to advance the professionalism of translators of literature as well as political, popular science, historical, sociological, memoirs and other texts.”
Last year’s winner was Maima Grinberga, who has translated the works of many significant Estonian authors into Latvian, such as Jaan Kross and Enn Veetma, as well as Aidi Vallik, Sass Henno and Andrus Kivirahk.