isabeltranslates
@isabeltranslates.bsky.social
Translator of Czech, Slovak, German & French into English. Literary translator of genre & other fiction, & occasional non-fiction. European, wordsmith, word nerd, foodie, reader, yogi & chocoholic. Childless not by choice. New Glaswegian. She/her. 🦔
Pinned
A year in reading, 2026!
The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Alma Whittaker thirsts for knowledge. She has the money & social position to pursue it, & this desire takes her from Pennsylvania to Tahiti, then Amsterdam. An incredible book that may be my book of the year already!
💙📚
The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Alma Whittaker thirsts for knowledge. She has the money & social position to pursue it, & this desire takes her from Pennsylvania to Tahiti, then Amsterdam. An incredible book that may be my book of the year already!
💙📚
Reposted by isabeltranslates
frid-hengest, m.n: of uncertain meaning but ‘hengest’ is ‘horse’: one idea is ‘horse-horse’ (tautological); (less likely) ‘beautiful-horse’, ‘peace-horse’ or ‘war-horse’. (FRID-HENG-gest / ˈfrɪd-ˌhɛŋ-gɛst)
Image: Bestiary; England, 1220-1240; @theul.bsky.social Kk.4.25, f. 59r.
#OldEnglish #WOTD
Image: Bestiary; England, 1220-1240; @theul.bsky.social Kk.4.25, f. 59r.
#OldEnglish #WOTD
February 17, 2026 at 8:01 AM
frid-hengest, m.n: of uncertain meaning but ‘hengest’ is ‘horse’: one idea is ‘horse-horse’ (tautological); (less likely) ‘beautiful-horse’, ‘peace-horse’ or ‘war-horse’. (FRID-HENG-gest / ˈfrɪd-ˌhɛŋ-gɛst)
Image: Bestiary; England, 1220-1240; @theul.bsky.social Kk.4.25, f. 59r.
#OldEnglish #WOTD
Image: Bestiary; England, 1220-1240; @theul.bsky.social Kk.4.25, f. 59r.
#OldEnglish #WOTD
Reposted by isabeltranslates
REMEMBER: All the "Don't use em-dashes" "don't use rule of three" advice because it makes your writing "look like AI" is because they stole actual writers work, and their "predict the next thing" stuff just simulates what WE FUCKING DO. Keep writing well. Use every style and trick you have. Fuck AI.
July 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
REMEMBER: All the "Don't use em-dashes" "don't use rule of three" advice because it makes your writing "look like AI" is because they stole actual writers work, and their "predict the next thing" stuff just simulates what WE FUCKING DO. Keep writing well. Use every style and trick you have. Fuck AI.
Reposted by isabeltranslates
I cannot stress enough that automatic translation into English will flatten your world. We need the delicious friction of different languages; we need to celebrate diversity.
Discovered today that Instagram had turned on (without my opt-in) automatic AUDIO translation of any reel that shows up in my feed not in English USING AI TO MIMIC THE SPEAKER’S VOICE and WOW it was creepy and upsetting.
You can turn it off in “Language & Translations” in Settings. 🙅🏻♀️
You can turn it off in “Language & Translations” in Settings. 🙅🏻♀️
February 17, 2026 at 7:38 AM
I cannot stress enough that automatic translation into English will flatten your world. We need the delicious friction of different languages; we need to celebrate diversity.
Reposted by isabeltranslates
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 311: Nad pruhy, built in 1935.
February 15, 2026 at 8:24 PM
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 311: Nad pruhy, built in 1935.
💙📚
There are 2 problems with getting rid of books.
The 1st is getting rid of books.
The 2nd is that the easiest way to get rid of books is to take them to a used book shop. I'm sure you see the problem there.
Yet, over the weekend, I managed to get rid of some books, and not buy any more!
+
There are 2 problems with getting rid of books.
The 1st is getting rid of books.
The 2nd is that the easiest way to get rid of books is to take them to a used book shop. I'm sure you see the problem there.
Yet, over the weekend, I managed to get rid of some books, and not buy any more!
+
February 16, 2026 at 10:43 AM
💙📚
There are 2 problems with getting rid of books.
The 1st is getting rid of books.
The 2nd is that the easiest way to get rid of books is to take them to a used book shop. I'm sure you see the problem there.
Yet, over the weekend, I managed to get rid of some books, and not buy any more!
+
There are 2 problems with getting rid of books.
The 1st is getting rid of books.
The 2nd is that the easiest way to get rid of books is to take them to a used book shop. I'm sure you see the problem there.
Yet, over the weekend, I managed to get rid of some books, and not buy any more!
+
Reposted by isabeltranslates
The wonderful thing about Tyggers
Is Tyggers are burning bright
Their tops are made out of rubber
In the forest of the night
What bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy,
Immortal hand or eye
Did frame the most wonderful thing about Tyggers,
Their fearful symmetry!
Is Tyggers are burning bright
Their tops are made out of rubber
In the forest of the night
What bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy,
Immortal hand or eye
Did frame the most wonderful thing about Tyggers,
Their fearful symmetry!
February 4, 2026 at 2:14 AM
The wonderful thing about Tyggers
Is Tyggers are burning bright
Their tops are made out of rubber
In the forest of the night
What bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy,
Immortal hand or eye
Did frame the most wonderful thing about Tyggers,
Their fearful symmetry!
Is Tyggers are burning bright
Their tops are made out of rubber
In the forest of the night
What bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy,
Immortal hand or eye
Did frame the most wonderful thing about Tyggers,
Their fearful symmetry!
Reposted by isabeltranslates
Per Wikipedia, relics of St Valentine are held by churches in Rome, Madrid, Dublin, Prague, Košice, Nováky, Chełmno, Mytilene, Savona, Roquemaure, Vienna, Balzan, and Glasgow.
A very devout mad scientist could have fun collecting them all and assembling Frankenvalentine, the Monster of Love.
A very devout mad scientist could have fun collecting them all and assembling Frankenvalentine, the Monster of Love.
February 14, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Per Wikipedia, relics of St Valentine are held by churches in Rome, Madrid, Dublin, Prague, Košice, Nováky, Chełmno, Mytilene, Savona, Roquemaure, Vienna, Balzan, and Glasgow.
A very devout mad scientist could have fun collecting them all and assembling Frankenvalentine, the Monster of Love.
A very devout mad scientist could have fun collecting them all and assembling Frankenvalentine, the Monster of Love.
Reposted by isabeltranslates
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 310: Nad hájem, built in 1930.
February 14, 2026 at 7:20 PM
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 310: Nad hájem, built in 1930.
Reposted by isabeltranslates
Roses are red
Violets are blue
*Translator writes detailed marginal note about the range of colours these terms cover in different languages, because in English this isn't entirely true*
Violets are blue
*Translator writes detailed marginal note about the range of colours these terms cover in different languages, because in English this isn't entirely true*
February 14, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Roses are red
Violets are blue
*Translator writes detailed marginal note about the range of colours these terms cover in different languages, because in English this isn't entirely true*
Violets are blue
*Translator writes detailed marginal note about the range of colours these terms cover in different languages, because in English this isn't entirely true*
Reposted by isabeltranslates
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 309: Půlnoční, built in 1973.
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 PM
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 309: Půlnoční, built in 1973.
Reposted by isabeltranslates
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 308: Šenácká, built in 2023. Making it younger than this series.
February 12, 2026 at 8:39 PM
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 308: Šenácká, built in 2023. Making it younger than this series.
Reposted by isabeltranslates
Languages travel with the people who speak them. Humans & communication are inextricably entwined. Did you know Estonian, Finnish & Hungarian belong to the same language group, called Finno-Urgic? That's human history righy there. We're language families, not language enemies.
#GoodMorning, everyone
#GoodMorning, everyone
February 14, 2026 at 5:42 AM
Languages travel with the people who speak them. Humans & communication are inextricably entwined. Did you know Estonian, Finnish & Hungarian belong to the same language group, called Finno-Urgic? That's human history righy there. We're language families, not language enemies.
#GoodMorning, everyone
#GoodMorning, everyone
#xl8 #translatedlit 💙📚🪐
Hopping on the back of this to highlight that the inclusion of Best Translated Novel in the recommended reading list this year means there is now also a Best Translated Novel category in the awards - so go forth and vote! Because if not enough people use the category, it might not be there forever.
It's that time of year again! The Locus Awards are looming in the distance, but you need to choose your champions! Voting is now open for all, give your favorite authors and works the voice they deserve!
Vote now at poll.voting.locusmag... or via the link in our bio.
Vote now at poll.voting.locusmag... or via the link in our bio.
February 13, 2026 at 3:20 PM
#xl8 #translatedlit 💙📚🪐
Reading, writing and learning languages help to protect against dementia.
So, obviously, does being rich. Hey ho.
#langsky #xl8
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
So, obviously, does being rich. Hey ho.
#langsky #xl8
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reading and writing can lower dementia risk by almost 40%, study finds
Cognitive health in later life is ‘strongly influenced’ by lifelong exposure to intellectually stimulating environments, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Reading, writing and learning languages help to protect against dementia.
So, obviously, does being rich. Hey ho.
#langsky #xl8
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
So, obviously, does being rich. Hey ho.
#langsky #xl8
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by isabeltranslates
On LinkedIn, some of my #translator pals have started sharing photos of themselves with a book, to counteract the awful AI-caricature thing that's also going round now. So, here I am, with the book that won the English PEN award, as I'm going to eat, sleep & breath it for the next few months!
#xl8💙📚
#xl8💙📚
February 12, 2026 at 9:08 AM
On LinkedIn, some of my #translator pals have started sharing photos of themselves with a book, to counteract the awful AI-caricature thing that's also going round now. So, here I am, with the book that won the English PEN award, as I'm going to eat, sleep & breath it for the next few months!
#xl8💙📚
#xl8💙📚
Reposted by isabeltranslates
On LinkedIn, some of my #translator pals have started sharing photos of themselves with a book, to counteract the awful AI-caricature thing that's also going round now. So, here I am, with the book that won the English PEN award, as I'm going to eat, sleep & breath it for the next few months!
#xl8💙📚
#xl8💙📚
February 12, 2026 at 9:08 AM
On LinkedIn, some of my #translator pals have started sharing photos of themselves with a book, to counteract the awful AI-caricature thing that's also going round now. So, here I am, with the book that won the English PEN award, as I'm going to eat, sleep & breath it for the next few months!
#xl8💙📚
#xl8💙📚
Reposted by isabeltranslates
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 307: Na dubině, built in 1925.
February 11, 2026 at 7:52 PM
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 307: Na dubině, built in 1925.
Leicester Cathedral held a wedding ceremony in sign language. In 1576.
I'm not crying, you're crying.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I'm not crying, you're crying.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leicester Cathedral reveals sign language wedding held in 1576
Cathedral bosses believe the signed service could have been one of the first in England.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Leicester Cathedral held a wedding ceremony in sign language. In 1576.
I'm not crying, you're crying.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I'm not crying, you're crying.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by isabeltranslates
Alexandra Roesch for a translation from German of Boy With a Black Rooster by Stefanie vor Schulte (The Indigo Press)
February 11, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Alexandra Roesch for a translation from German of Boy With a Black Rooster by Stefanie vor Schulte (The Indigo Press)
Reposted by isabeltranslates
Antonella Lettieri and editor Richard Village for a translation from Italian of Your Little Matter by Maria Grazia Calandrone (Foundry Editions)
February 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Antonella Lettieri and editor Richard Village for a translation from Italian of Your Little Matter by Maria Grazia Calandrone (Foundry Editions)
Reposted by isabeltranslates
Congratulations to the winner of the Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for published translations from Arabic of full-length works of literary merit and general interest:
Marilyn Booth for a translation of Honey Hunger: A Novel by Zahran Alqasmi (Hoopoe, American University in Cairo Press)
Marilyn Booth for a translation of Honey Hunger: A Novel by Zahran Alqasmi (Hoopoe, American University in Cairo Press)
February 11, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Congratulations to the winner of the Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for published translations from Arabic of full-length works of literary merit and general interest:
Marilyn Booth for a translation of Honey Hunger: A Novel by Zahran Alqasmi (Hoopoe, American University in Cairo Press)
Marilyn Booth for a translation of Honey Hunger: A Novel by Zahran Alqasmi (Hoopoe, American University in Cairo Press)
Reposted by isabeltranslates
Reposted by isabeltranslates
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 306: U Zátiší, built in 2007.
February 10, 2026 at 8:34 PM
1) What's in a Prague 4 Street Name, day 306: U Zátiší, built in 2007.
Reposted by isabeltranslates
Buy your hard copies online from publishers or @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social
Audio books from your library app or @libro.fm
Ebooks from your library app or Kobo or direct from publishers
2nd hand from Biblio, Oxfam or World of Books
Audio books from your library app or @libro.fm
Ebooks from your library app or Kobo or direct from publishers
2nd hand from Biblio, Oxfam or World of Books
February 10, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Buy your hard copies online from publishers or @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social
Audio books from your library app or @libro.fm
Ebooks from your library app or Kobo or direct from publishers
2nd hand from Biblio, Oxfam or World of Books
Audio books from your library app or @libro.fm
Ebooks from your library app or Kobo or direct from publishers
2nd hand from Biblio, Oxfam or World of Books