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Barbara Fontaine

Translator

Profile

Born: 30.8.1968
Birthplace: Paris
Country of birth: France


Source language: German
Target language: French

Vita

Barbara Fontaine studied German and French philology in Paris. Since 1999 she has been a full-time translator from German, with emphasis on fiction. She translates works of contemporary writers, such as Hans-Ulrich Treichel, Katja Lange-Müller, Robert Menasse, Stefan Wackwitz, Ursula Krechel, Katja Petrowskaïa, Thomas Hettche … Occasionally she also translates humanistic publications. She was a mentor for young translators at the Goldschmidt Programme and has been in charge of the ViceVersa German-French tranlsation workshop every year since.She also teaches at the Ecole de Traduction Littéraire in Paris.She lives in Paris and regularly visits Berlin.

6 Questions

What brought you to Berlin? Love? World politics? Or was it a coincidence?

My love for the city


What do you love about Berlin?

An open, modern city that keeps developing. A capital with all the benefits and none of the downsides of a large city.


What do you miss in Berlin?

La Cinémathèque française


What is your favorite spot in Berlin?

The LCB and the Liquidrom.


Would you say you are a different person in Berlin? A different translator? And if yes, in what way?

Definitley! I don’t have any roots in Berlin and feel much freer.


Which existing literary work do you wish you had written?

"Austerlitz" von Sebald

Awards

2008: André-Gide-Preis for the translation of "Nahe Jedenew" by Kevin Vennemann
2010: Prix Amphi of the university of Lille III for the translation of "Ein unsichtbares Land" by Stephan Wackwitz 

Work

Translated publications

Michael Krüger, Der Gott hinter dem Fenster (L'homme qui embrassait les arbres)

Le Seuil, Paris, 2017 Stories

Thomas Hettche, Pfaueninsel (L’Ile aux paons)

Grasset, Paris, 2017 Novel

Hans-Ulrich Treichel, Le Lac de Grunewald

Gallimard, Paris, 2014 Novel

C. D. Florescu, Jacob beschliesst zu lieben (Le turbulent destin de Jacob Obertin)

Le Seuil, Paris, 2013 Novel

Andreas Steinhöfel, Rico und Oscar (3 volumes)

Gallimard, Paris, 2011 until 2013 Youth literature

Hans-Ulrich Treichel, Anatolin

Gallimard, Paris, 2010 Novel

Erich Mendelsohn., Lettres d'un architecte

Editions du Linteau, Paris, 2008 Letters

Kevin Vennemann, Près de Jedenew

Gallimard, Paris, 2008 Novel

Stephan Wackwitz, Ein unsichtbares Land (Un pays invisible)

Laurence Teper, Paris, 2007 Family Saga

Tom Lampert, Ein einziges Leben (Une seule vie)

Joëlle Losfeld, Paris, 2005 Stories

Wilhelm Uhde, De Bismarck à Picasso

Editions du Linteau, Paris, 2002 Autobiography

Nino Haratischwili, Das achte Leben (La Huitième vie)

Piranha, Paris, 2017 Novel

Katja Petrowskaja, Peut-être Esther

Le Seuil, Paris, 2015 Novella

Ursula Krechel, Landgericht (Terminus Allemagne)

Carnets Nord, Paris, 2014 Novel

Stefan Zweig, Legende eines Lebens (Légende d'une vie)

Grasset, Paris, 2013 Play

Robert Menasse, Don Juan de la Manche

Verdier, Paris, 2011 Novel

Klaus Hoffer, Chez les Bieresch

Passage du Nord-Ouest, Albi, 2010 Novel

Katja Lange-Müller, Böse Schafe (Vilains moutons)

Laurence Teper, Paris, 2008 Novel

Hans-Ulrich Treichel, Menschenflug (Vol humain)

Gallimard, 2007 Novel

M. Cüppers und K.-M. Mallmann, Halbmond und Hakenkreuz (Croissant fertile et croix gammée)

Verdier, Paris, 2006 Historic Essay

Hans-Ulrich Treichel, Der irdische Amor (L'Amour terrestre)

Hachette Littératures, Paris, 2004 Novel

Johanna Schopenhauer, Promenaden unter südlicher Sonne (Promenades françaises)

Le Félin, Paris, 2000 Travelogue