Finnish to English Translation Competition Launched

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    Is your knowledge of Finland and the Finnish language good? Are your skills in the English language excellent? If you have an interest in these two languages and cultures and a love of literature, why not put them to good use?

    The Finnish Institute in London and FILI - Finnish Literature Exchange are pleased to announce a translation competition to source new talent in translating fiction from Finnish to English. You do not have to be a language professional; eligible participants include everyone from novices to experienced translators. What you do need is a passion for language, a good understanding of Finnish and a talent for writing in English.

    The translation competition is part of the Finnish Institute's programme of activities aiming at increasing the number of Finnish books entering the British literary market. We invite you to translate, from Finnish to English, Maritta Lintunen's piece "Piinaviikko" from her collection of short prose entitled Ovisilmä (WSOY, 2006).

    Entering the competition is easy. Just download the text and the entry form, translate the text by 31 August 2009, and send both to us (as .doc, .rtf or .pdf). There is no entry fee.

    Experienced literature professionals will read the translations. All participants will have a chance to win gift certificates and book prizes, and translators showing real translating talent will be shortlisted to the second phase of the competition. They will be contacted and invited to showcase their talent further by translating another excerpt. Contestants showing significant translating talent will have a chance to participate in a translation masterclass in Helsinki with all expenses paid.

    Closing date for submissions is 31st August 2009.

    Download Maritta Lintunen's piece "Piinaviikko" and Entry Form with full competition rules and submission guidelines here.

    All submissions should be sent to the following email address: translation@finnish-institute.org.uk.
    For any further enquiries, please contact: sara.rauma[at]finnish-institute.org.uk.