AU students help translate Marconi's 'Sobrevivi'

AU Professor Giada Biaetti is thankful for the combined effort to translate Silvana Marconi’s book “Sobrevivi.” (photo by Giada Biasetti)

By Clara Sorrow | Staff writer

The English translation of Silvana Marconi’s book, “Sobreviví,” is currently available for purchase.

This translation was facilitated by Professor Giada Biasetti through her “Introduction to Spanish/English Translation” class (SPAN 4600), where students were separated into groups and worked on parts of the book, translating it from Spanish to English for public consumption.

“Dr. Biasetti’s translation project provides students opportunities to apply skills learned in the classroom and to contribute to the goal conversation we should all be having  about ending domestic violence,” explained English department chair Seretha Williams.

The book, its English translation meaning “I Survived,” describes Silvana Marconi’s personal experience with domestic violence. It is filled with both poetic language and emotionally difficult content.

“Unfortunately, when this happened to Silvana over 20 years ago in Uraguay, the term “domestic violence” wasn’t something people spoke about freely,” explained Biasetti in her introduction to “I Survived.”

“The translator has to get emotionally involved,” Biasetti said when asked about translating a book with such specific language.

She goes on to discuss how, for many students, topics such as this hit close to home, which facilitates their motivation, as well as their further understanding of how these words should be translated. Furthermore, translating such a topic can provide the translator with insight on how this topic is handled in cultures and perspectives outside of their own. This time, the perspective is that of a born-and-raised Uruguayan author.

This cultural significance goes down to the singular words people use, as Biasetti explained. She could see that this experience allowed the students to see the importance of every word choice in every translation. She elaborated on this in her introduction.

“Beyond teaching a language and culture, my objective as a Spanish professor is to allow students to develop their own frames of knowledge, engage in critical thinking, expand their arguments and interpretations, be creative and make connections to and beyond the work of the class,” she said.

Augusta University’s annual “Writer’s Weekend,” a weekend in which writers and publishers gather to Augusta in order to spread information about professional writing with students, facilitated the connection between Biasetti and the publisher of this new translation, Lucinda Clark. They have collaborated together on projects in the past, and they plan on continuing to work together in the future.

When asked about the hardest part of the publication process, Biasetti explained that, in her experience, it was primarily getting the actual material together for publication. Clark helped to make the process as swift as possible for the students.

A documentary is currently in the works for Marconi and her experiences through domestic violence. It is being produced and directed by Ismael Krall. There are plans to bring the documentary to Augusta University once its creation is completed. If this is done, it will be open to students, faculty and the community alike to view. The timeline for this event is aiming for the 2024 school year, with charities for domestic violence awareness being involved.

Biasetti stressed the group effort that having this product put out was. College departments, colleagues, and students alike helped to get this translation where it is today. In total, the book was translated by Sasha Bent, Steven Boyd, Stephanie Castillo, Julio Chavez, Emilee Kirby, Sruthi Medicherla, Carragan Moody, Francesca Santander, Tania Satizabal, Hollie Swanson and Nathan Urioste.

“To say that I am proud of my students is an understatement,” said Biasetti in her introduction.

Marconi posts constant updates on her Instagram, @Silvana_Marconii.

If you are an organization or individual interested in partaking in the documentary event, contact Professor Giada Biasetti at gbiasetti@augusta.edu .

View an interview with Biasetti here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuhq_ZPgPg8

View a conversation with Biasetti regarding awareness through translation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuhq_ZPgPg8
View more information regarding the film and participation from Marconi here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YOThIBc6Pp92XU4NFS0IkHFyZWZ_BjUT/view

Contact Clara Sorrow at csorrow@augusta.edu.