Using one's national language sometimes has a downside. Among the obvious disadvantages are communication barriers and the low exposure of local literature on the international scene.
13 Thai Short Stories-2013
Translated by Marcel Barang, 219pp 240 baht Available as an e-book www.thaifiction.com or www.immateriel.fr
Countries with cultural visions such as Japan, South Korea and China can overcome the vernacular fence by providing funds and support for the translation of local books into foreign languages. For the countries that cannot, like Thailand, the casualty is the lack of the world's attention for local literature, subsequently crippling the book industry and perhaps the country's reading and writing culture.
Thailand and its Ministry of Culture present a good example of this predicament. The ministry has had no role, not to mention a policy, to export Thai books and literature. As a result, Thai writers and translators often have a difficult time finding a way to have their voices heard outside the country.
I have a respectful view of translated Thai books. They are more than books, they're a testament of human struggle, a labour of love from a small group of writers and translators.
Within this group is Marcel Barang, an established translator and blogger who has been a resident of Bangkok for over three decades. Barang is a French native who speaks fluent, accent-less Thai, and who used to contribute his translated works to the Bangkok Post. He has also translated many crown jewels of Thai literature into English, among them MR Kukrit Pramoj's Four Reigns (though it cannot be published until 2045 due to copyright issues). He also translated into French works of Saneh Sangsuk and Chart Kobjitti.
After translating many novels, Barang in 2009 began a new project by translating Thai short stories into annual anthologies. Barang, who reportedly "reads hundreds of stories a year and translates about three dozen", culled Thai material from literary magazines such as Chor Karrakeit, Writer and Rahoo Om Chan.
The latest collection of his translated works is 13 Thai Short Stories-2013. It contains 13 stories penned by 13 writers, those awarded and established, as well as promising newcomers.
It must be noted that stories were selected based on the translator's choice and taste, not on chronology, nor any specific collective theme. The oldest story in the book was penned in the 1950s (Mr Phitsadarn's Love by Arjin Panjaphan) and the newest was written and published last year (Sanim Nai Ban Khong Khon Uen by Pankham Damnai). The stories are eclectic and some address major issues such as politics, race, the environment, culture, psychological confusion and human relationships.
Thanks to diverse content, each reader will find something to which they can respond and connect. Those who want to find some understanding on political conflicts in Thailand will be entertained and educated by reading The Pigeons And The Old Man, a 2010 story about the rise of the yellow shirts by Vieng-Vachira Buason, and The Disused Drawer published in 1996 by Wan Na Jantarn, a poignant story about the loss of activists' political ideologies in the 1970s.
Interestingly enough, there are two stories on environmental problems: The Traitor, which addresses the fraud and manipulation in anti-dam protests (published in 1997) by Yoda Hasemseng and 'Duang Jampa' And The Naga King, a story about superstitious beliefs and dam construction and its environmental impact (published in 2011) by Prakasit Khonwai. The Roti Seller From Sri Lanka by the late Kanokphong Songsomphan, explores human rights issues with its subtle portrayal of discrimination and illegal labour (published in 2006) _ it's definitely a must-read. The House By The Bypass Road by Rattanachai Manabutra, published last year, criticises the abduction of political dissidents and violence in the restive Southern provinces.
I'm surprised that the translator picked the work of 87-year-old Arjin to open the collection. Written half-a-century ago, Mr Phitsadarn's Love is the story of a man hiding in a chest and peeping at a naked woman. It's archaic according to today's erotic standard, yet the masterful narrative approach and engaging prose of Arjin, a National Artist since 1991, helps the story transcend time. A good love story will never be out of date.
The translator does justice to the original works, especially with stories by top-tier writers such as Arjin, the late Kanokphong and award-winningd poet Rewat Phanpipat.
This book has something for everyone. For foreigners who wish to understand the context of Thai society, especially politically speaking, many of these stories will shed light on different angles of present and past conflicts. And for those who love good writing _ and good translation _ the book certainly deserves your time.
