Sophie Hughes has shared insights into her translation of Vincenzo Latronico's 'Perfection,' noting that the process took longer than usual partly due to having recently had a baby. This translation marks her first published work from Italian, which added to her careful approach. She expressed agreement with Damion Searls, who posits that translation decisions often occur unconsciously, though Hughes found herself engaging in considerable rationalizing due to the precision and detail inherent in the book.
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Despite not meeting Vincenzo Latronico in person, Hughes appreciated the close collaboration they had, given that he is also an experienced literary translator. His initial notes highlighted elements like limiting figurative language, which Hughes found valuable. She recognizes the significance of his attention to detail, understanding that small changes can impact the overall style of a novel across languages.
In discussing her challenges, Hughes mentioned that she has never visited Berlin but humorously referenced Douglas Adams, who never traveled to space.
Reflecting on her own reading history, Hughes reminisced about the joy she found in books as a child, particularly enjoying Spike Milligan’s 'Silly Verse for Kids' along with a picture book, 'Mr. Bill and the Runaway Sausages,' which holds cherished memories from her childhood. She recalled being thrilled to find characters named Sophie in various stories, and how poetry, often present in her household thanks to her mother, shaped her understanding of literature and its emotional power.
Hughes revealed that her desire to become a translator was sparked while reading the works of Javier Marías for her MA thesis. She initially read some of his novels in Margaret Jull Costa’s translations, realizing that these translations were not mere substitutes but fully realized works in their own right, prompting her to consider the translator as a writer.
One translator Hughes particularly admires is Annie McDermott, whom she has collaborated with. Hughes praised McDermott for her perceptiveness, extensive vocabulary, and optimistic attitude, even when faced with challenging texts.