L'intervista — The Interview

Literary translators in Italy

Italy is one of the countries that publish the most translated books, and Italian literary translators have a long tradition. They are usually paid a cartella — by the standard page, conventionally about 1,800 characters including spaces — and rates for literary work are modest, so many translators combine translation with teaching, editing or other work. Translators' associations have campaigned for better contracts, royalties and the name of the translator on the cover. Radio remains an important space for books in Italy, with cultural programs that interview authors, critics and, more and more often, translators. Live radio has its own register: the host greets the audience (bentornati, siamo in diretta), reads listeners' messages, and keeps an eye on the clock. Spoken Italian describes the course of an action with periphrases: stare per (about to), stare a (being there doing), mettersi a (setting about), finire per (ending up), tornare a, continuare a, smettere di. They are a large part of what makes spoken Italian sound natural.