Book Discussion: The Philosophy of Translation by Damion Searls

Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum and The Northwest Literary Translators invite you to join us for an in-person book discussion of the 2024 book The Philosophy of Translation by translator Damion Searls, led by Folio librarian Lillian Dabney. 

As the translator of sixty books from multiple languages, Searls has spent decades grappling with words on the most granular level: nouns and verbs, accents on people’s names, rhymes, rhythm, “untranslatable” cultural nuances. Here, he connects a wealth of specific examples to larger philosophical issues of reading and perception. This sharp and inviting exploration of the theory and practice of translation is for anyone who has ever marveled at the beauty, force, and movement of language. —  Publisher's Website

Read the book (buy or borrow), then join us at Folio for an in-person guided discussion. Please bring a snack or beverage to share if you can.

“Searls’s philosophy is ultimately one of freedom—to move beyond mere equivalence,…