Der neue Bereich unseres Portals macht es sich zum Anliegen, die internationalen Literaturszenen Berlins zu kartographieren, die handelnden Personen und ihre Schauplätze sichtbar und zugänglich zu machen. 
Die Entstehung der Rubrik wurde durch eine Förderung des Hauptstadtkulturfonds ermöglicht. 

Maj Westerfeld

Translator

Profile

Birthplace: Næstved
Country of birth: Denmark


Source language: German
Target language: Danish

Vita

Maj Westerfeld was born in Denmark. Since 1997 she is living in Berlin.

She studied French and Dutch at the University of Copenhagen.
During her studies, it took her to Brussels, where she studied movies at the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

She worked as a Danish teacher, museum’s guide and employee of the Danish embassy, before she became a freelance translator of literature.

In 2011 she participated at the LCB’s Summer Academy.
In 2015 and 2019 she joined the translators-workshop „Kein Kinderspiel“ in Hamburg.
Furthermore, she conducted two german-danish ViceVersa-workshops at the EÜK Straelen in 2016 and 2018.

She translates adult literature as well as literature for young people.   

6 Questions

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

A combination of love and coincidence


What do you love about Berlin?

That I can always manage to discover new places in town.


What do you miss in Berlin?

The sea, at any season of the year. And a good, salty liquorice.


What is your favorite spot in Berlin?

I like to explore the city by bike.


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

I guess so. Living with and inbetween two cultures is definitely a great enrichment for me.


Which existing literary work do you wish you had written?

The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen.

Work

Translated publications

Simon Strauß: Römische Tage (Romerske dage)

Turbine, 2020 Novel

Simon Strauß: Sieben Nächte (Syv nætter)

Turbine, 2019 Novel

Wolfgang Herrndorf: Bilder deiner großen Liebe (Isa)

Turbine, Dänemark, 2016 Novel

Stefanie de Velasco: Tigermilch (Tigermælk)

Batzer&Co., Dänemark, 2015 Novel

Joachim Gauck: Winter im Sommer, Frühling im Herbst (Fra vinter til vår)

Gyldendal, Dänemark, 2014 Biography

Angelika Klüssendorf: Das Mädchen (Pigen)

Batzer&Co., Dänemark, 2013 Novel

Arne Bellstorf: Baby's in black (Baby's in black)

Vandkunsten, Dänemark, 2011 Graphic Novel

Katja Alves: Der Muffin-Club

Turbine, Children's book

Tanya Stewner: Alea Aquarius, Der Ruf des Wasser (Havpigen Alea, Vandet kalder)

Turbine, Dänemark, Children's book

Mariana Leky: Was man von hier aus sehen kann (Hvad man kan se herfra)

OLGA, 2019 Novel

Thomas Hettche: Pfaueninsel (Påfugleøen)

Batzer&Co., Dänemark, 2017 Novel

Kerstin Gier: Rubinrot (Rubinrød)

Turbine, Dänemark, 2015 Novel YA

David Wagner: Leben (Lever)

Gyldendal, Dänemark, 2014 Novel

Wolfgang Herrndorf: Tschick (Tjick)

Turbine, Dänemark, 2014 Novel

Jenny Erpenbeck: Heimsuchung (Hjemsøgelse)

Turbine, Dänemark, 2012 Novel

Judith Allert: Die Schule der Prinzessinnen (Prinsesseskolen)

Turbine, Children's book

Nelly Möhle: Der Zaubergarten (Den fortryllede have)

Turbine, Children's book