It won’t be too long before the translation into English is ready. I am extremely grateful for the help with this translation. My English is fine, but it is not my native language and although I am easy to understand, I speak with an accent . In America they sometimes find that very touching and that is a bonus, but of course I really want beautiful and good language in my book. Fortunately, I have very nice people in my international network and they helped me fantastically and with great care and enthusiasm.
The nuances of language
More than a year ago, the Dutch version of my book about letting go of trauma got off to a flying start in The Hague. And shortly afterwards I received messages from my non-Dutch speaking customers. Why didn’t I write it in English? I have considered that, but my personal story takes place in my mother tongue and that is where I express myself best. That’s when I express myself most purely. Sometimes that is blunt or sharp, but that also makes the book fun, I understand. There was a lot of laughter and a lot of crying about it. I like that. It does something to people.
That’s what I write for, but you can’t just translate that, because every language has its own level of what is permissible. Words like ‘shit’ and ‘fuck’ are used inappropriately. In America people seem used to that, but if you translate it into Dutch it is much too crude. Kids today talk about ‘faking this’ and ‘faking that’, even though they have no idea what it means. It has become commonplace in all European languages. I also often hear: ‘I hate this’ and ‘I hate that’. Instead of saying you don’t like it or you hate it. Hating seems like a pretty strong reaction to me when you’re talking about a jacket or a haircut or the fact that it’s raining.
Because shouting what you hate all day long doesn’t seem to be good for your heart and your mood. That doesn’t make you happy. Words have a great influence on our lives and well-being.
The readers who laughed at my own story recognized perspective and humor in my sometimes blunt language. I also want to achieve that in the translation, but there is no need to be deliberately rude. I do use the word ‘shit’ in my book, but in the translation I chose ‘rubbish’. In conversations with Sarah I noticed that some expressions mainly caused confusion or a completely different meaning. Super interesting and educational! It was also fun and educational to exchange ideas with Dominique, who grew up with the Flemish language, which in itself is less coarse and more authentic than Dutch.
‘Lekker’ is a typical Dutch word
Because a literal translation is not really possible, I searched for a long time for the correct title in English. There was a lot of shifting around with words and I chose to put ‘knocking’ in the title. This also receives more attention on the cover and the praying mantis has been replaced by a hand. Other than that I haven’t changed anything. Translation is not just a matter of replacing words. You really have to take the time and talk about it. That’s why I wanted to do this with people who not only understand the language, but also have a connection with my profession and the language I speak in it.
Martina is Austrian and has lived in the Netherlands for over 27 years. She has done sessions and retreats with me since 2015 and is now working on the translation into German. Awesome!
Dominique has been doing sessions with me since 2016 and Sarah since 2018 and they met during my YIP retreat in Greece in 2019. Dominique grew up in Belgium and has lived in England for 40 years. She knows and understands the content of my work, because she is also an EFT practitioner.
First an English e-book, then a paperback and an audiobook
Paper books are nice to have, but are getting less popular. We have good e-readers that fit a lot of books and it saves a lot of weight in your bag or suitcase. In addition, production costs are lower.
The Dutch version is published by a publishing house. The English version will certainly also be available as a beautifully bound book and as an audiobook as well.
I personally love audiobooks. I listen daily, while walking, cycling, washing dishes, you name it. Some books I immediately move back to the beginning to hear it in full again. My audiobook is now also on my podcast .
Hopefully I will be able to complete all this this or next month during my visit to England.