Translating the writings of Adam Reta by Bethlehem Attfield
The difficulties of translating the complex works of Ethiopian author Adam Reta from Amharic into English
Translating the writings of Adam Reta.
Bethlehem Attfield
Adam Reta, born in Addis Ababa in 1958, is a highly respected novelist, short-story writer, and literary innovator whose work has influenced Ethiopia’s modern fiction for many years. Widely known for his inventive narrative style and philosophical depth, Adam Reta has built a distinguished career crafting novels, short-story collections, and literary essays that push the boundaries of Ethiopian creative writing.
Although he has lived abroad for many years, almost all of his literary works have been written in Amharic and have only ever been published in Addis Ababa. A prolific writer for over 40 years, Adam Reta has written numerous short-story collections and novels that reflect deep engagement with Ethiopian cultural, social, and existential themes. His creative achievements have earned him multiple literary awards within Ethiopia and two of his short stories have been adapted into critically recognized films, further extending his impact on Ethiopian arts and culture.
Translating his complex writings into other languages is difficult but Bethlehem Attfield has taken up the challenge. Find out more about Adam Reta's works and how Bethlehem overcomes the problems of translating them from Amharic to English.
Bethlehem Attfield holds a PhD at Birmingham University, researching the translation of African-language literature with a focus on Amharic Fiction. Her translation of a novel written in Amharic by Yismake Worku; The Lost Spell, was published by Henningham Family Press in March 2022, and was shortlisted for 2022 TA First Translation Prize by Society of Authors. She translated Adam Reta's short story የድንች መዋስዕት and produced it as an audio musical story – Requiem for Potatoes, available on several audiobook stores. She received the Global Africa Translation Fellowship Award 2023, for her project to translate selected short stories written by Adam Reta from Amharic into English. The recently published Couch Grass, is her translation of stories taken from Adam Reta's እቴሜቴ ሎሚ ሽታ.
Doors open at 18:30, with the talk starting at 19:00. Unable to attend the event in person? Register for an online ticket to be sent a link to a Zoom broadcast of the live event.
The difficulties of translating the complex works of Ethiopian author Adam Reta from Amharic into English
Translating the writings of Adam Reta.
Bethlehem Attfield
Adam Reta, born in Addis Ababa in 1958, is a highly respected novelist, short-story writer, and literary innovator whose work has influenced Ethiopia’s modern fiction for many years. Widely known for his inventive narrative style and philosophical depth, Adam Reta has built a distinguished career crafting novels, short-story collections, and literary essays that push the boundaries of Ethiopian creative writing.
Although he has lived abroad for many years, almost all of his literary works have been written in Amharic and have only ever been published in Addis Ababa. A prolific writer for over 40 years, Adam Reta has written numerous short-story collections and novels that reflect deep engagement with Ethiopian cultural, social, and existential themes. His creative achievements have earned him multiple literary awards within Ethiopia and two of his short stories have been adapted into critically recognized films, further extending his impact on Ethiopian arts and culture.
Translating his complex writings into other languages is difficult but Bethlehem Attfield has taken up the challenge. Find out more about Adam Reta's works and how Bethlehem overcomes the problems of translating them from Amharic to English.
Bethlehem Attfield holds a PhD at Birmingham University, researching the translation of African-language literature with a focus on Amharic Fiction. Her translation of a novel written in Amharic by Yismake Worku; The Lost Spell, was published by Henningham Family Press in March 2022, and was shortlisted for 2022 TA First Translation Prize by Society of Authors. She translated Adam Reta's short story የድንች መዋስዕት and produced it as an audio musical story – Requiem for Potatoes, available on several audiobook stores. She received the Global Africa Translation Fellowship Award 2023, for her project to translate selected short stories written by Adam Reta from Amharic into English. The recently published Couch Grass, is her translation of stories taken from Adam Reta's እቴሜቴ ሎሚ ሽታ.
Doors open at 18:30, with the talk starting at 19:00. Unable to attend the event in person? Register for an online ticket to be sent a link to a Zoom broadcast of the live event.
Couch Grass by Adam Reta, translated by Bethlehem Attfield
Fidessa Publishing Ltd, 2025
ISBN: 9781068575938 (hardback), UK £18.99
ISBN: 9781068575945 (paperback), UK £15.11
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Highlights
- 2 hours
- In-person
Location
Ethiopian Community in Britain
2a Lithos Road
London NW3 6EF
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