School Matters 36

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STEPHEN SPENDER TRANSLATION AWARD

Many congratulations to Emma Cortinovis, PVI who has been commended by the 2021 Stephen Spender Award panel for her translation of Giuseppe Ungaretti’s 1915 poem, ‘Veglia’. Emma writes: “An interest in the World Wars led me to finding Giuseppe Ungaretti’s ‘Veglia’. This poem depicts the tragic experience

EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES 2021 To initiate the inaugural IPS Identity Week, the Languages Faculty organised a quiz celebrating European Day of Languages and the linguistic diversity of Ibstock Place School. Indeed, the languages we use, whether inside or outside of School, are an important part of our identity and cultural heritage. IPS is a linguistically diverse community and many of us identify with more than one cultural heritage through our home language(s) spoken with our families or friends. European Day of Languages is a day dedicated to the celebration of Europe’s linguistic diversity and the endorsement of language learning and linguistic exchange. Europe is rich in languages with over 250 languages spoken across 44 countries, and many languages are spoken by citizens whose family origin is from other continents. This is an important resource to be recognised, used and cherished. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said: “A language is far more than a means of communication; it is the very condition of our humanity. Our values, our beliefs and our identity are embedded within it.” Mr Emmanuel Diaz, Teacher of Modern Languages

Emma Cortinovis, PVI

of a soldier on the front-line during World War I. Although this poem may seem short and easy, this did not prove to be true, and the poem provided many challenges during its translation. The first most obvious challenge was the outdated Italian. Many phrases and words are either no longer used or have changed meaning. An example of this was the phrase “con la congestion/delle sue mani/ penetrate”. Although I recognised each word, when I saw them placed together, it did not seem to make sense. So, I had to step back and envisage what the poet was describing exactly, and this allowed me to come up with its translation and to see that he was describing the blood seeping from the soldier’s hands. Another challenge was the word order. As with other European languages, Italian adjectives are placed after the noun. However, in my translation you have to switch the positioning as well as find a suitable synonym for the adjective. An example of this was with “un compagno/massacrato” which I had to translate as “A wounded/Comrade”. With this phrase I had to change the adjective “massacrato” because I believed that the English synonym ‘massacred’ did not fit in to the poem. Overall, this poem, through its short length and emphasis on certain words, shows to the reader Ungaretti’s growing love for life after his comrade is killed.

MEGAN IS PRIZEWINNING TRANSLATOR The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators was created by Queen’s College Translation Exchange, Oxford and the competition’s aims are the promotion of language learning across the UK and to inspire creativity in the classroom by bringing translation to life.

VEGLIA Un’intera nottata buttato vicino a un compagno massacrato con la sua bocca digrignata

BATTLE’S EVE A whole night Thrown alongside A wounded Comrade With his mouth Grinning Turned towards the full moon With the blood Of his hands Seeping Into my silence I wrote

volta al plenilunio con la congestione delle sue mani penetrata nel mio silenzio ho scritto lettere piene d’amore Non sono mai stato tanto attaccato alla vita

Megan Murphy, S8

Megan Murphy, in Senior 8, was the Greater London winner of the French Translation Prize at Level 1 and Runner-up nationally. Her colourful and detailed translation of a text on the Tour de France was selected by the adjudicators from over a thousand entries. We offer our congratulations and wish Megan a long and successful career as a translator and language student.

Letters full of love I have never been So Attached to life