Ngarmpun Vejjajiva won a SEA Write Award for her coming-of-age novel The Happiness Of Kati, but her work as a translator is equally acclaimed.
At the recently wrapped-up National Book Expo, Ngarmpun released the Thai-langauge version of The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly, by South Korean Hwang Sun-mi. The story is about a hen who dreams of breaking free from the cage in which she is forced to lay eggs, which are then sold at the market. The plucky hen plans to escape and hatch an egg of her own.
First published in 2000, The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly has become a contemporary South Korean fable that has been adapted into an animated film, a comic book and a musical.
Life recently sat down with Ngarmpun to talk about her translation of the book.
What made you want to translate the book into Thai?
When I saw the writer's name I was intrigued, because I knew she is a famous writer. This book is a classic that has been published for over 10 years and has sold millions of copies. Given her reputation, I was curious to find out about her writing style. After I finished reading the book, I was carried away. I thought the book was extraordinary.
What was the hardest part of translating it?
The characters' names were the hardest. It took me a long time to come up with Thai names that would match the English names of the characters. For example, I used "Pli Bai", which means "springing leaf", for the hen named Sprout. The duck, Green Top, was translated as "Hua Keaw", which means "green head". I also had to choose pronouns for each of the characters, since there are many pronouns that can be interchangeably used in the Thai language. Other than that, I just had to make sure the story didn't lose the essence and emotion.
What message does the book send its readers?
It compares human society to that of livestock on a farm. There are rules and norms that need to be followed, and when the hen starts to emancipate herself from the oppression that has caged her, she is labelled a rebel by the other animals, punished and alienated. This results in one fighting 10. In my opinion, the storytelling is very smart in that it allows readers to understand the main character through small things around her.
Why is the book special?
It a novel with a universal language. The book has been translated into 27 languages, including Thai. When I read a book that gets translated into many languages, it is like I am in a large society where diverse readers join and are able to talk about the same thing.
What will readers get from the book?
First of all, I think the story will cause readers to be emotionally involved throughout.
I was touched by the bravery of the hen, who just keeps fighting through her obstacles. I found myself cheering for her, shouting: "Fight on!"
The book is also brimming with a sense of motherhood and sacrifice. The latter is a moral value with which people are familiar. Therefore, I think readers will find it easy to digest.
Why does the book make a good read for Thais?
The book is most definitely fun. A book cannot be considered successful if it lacks this quality. Apart from that, Thai readers will discover new sides of South Korea other than its pop culture.
This book is proof that the country has many other interesting things. I want Thai readers to experience that.
What are you reading?
Found in translation
Ngarmpun Vejjajiva switches easily between writing and translating (see main story). “Reading for translation is like you are trying to know and understand someone. Yet the work requires absolute honesty and a high degree of self-restraint.”
Ngarmpun shares her reading lists with Life.
— Anchalee Kongrut
Which book are you reading at the moment?
I love reading but have very little time for this pleasure after work. Most of the books I read are for work. The one that I am now reading is Chien De printemps by Patrick Modiano, the Nobel Prize laureate this year. A publisher proposed to translate it. I loved it from the first page. I can hardly put it down and I wish that I had more time to finish it!
As a writer and a book translator, can you recommend books that inspire and influence your work?
The first one that comes to mind is Lai Cheewit (Many Lives) by MR Kukrit Pramoj. He is a great storyteller and I love the book’s setting in the central region of Thailand. The second one is Silk by Alessandro Baricco. I translated his work into Thai and I admire his art of using few words which have great impact.
Have you ever been let down by a book that is popular and highly recommended?
I’m afraid so. The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling is one of them. Maybe my expectations were too high with this book and anticipated it would be like the Harry Potter series!
What are your all-time favourite books?
Most of the books I love can be re-read anytime. Life Of Pi by Yann Martel, Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson to name a few.
Dead trees or e-books?
I enjoy reading with Kindle. It is practical for big books and I feel secure carrying it around knowing that I have many books to choose from to suit my mood. However, I still buy books that I enjoyed reading for my collection. I love the smell of printed paper that e-books cannot offer me!
