Jakarta, IO – Taufiq Ismail, a notable literary figure associated with the 1966 movement through his seminal works, Tirani and Benteng, has also significantly contributed to cross-cultural understanding between Indonesia and the English-speaking world through his translations.
Read More
This aspect of Taufiq Ismail's work is less recognized compared to his prominent role as a leader in the “66” movement. Between 1956 and 1957, while still in secondary school, Ismail was selected for the inaugural group of AFSIS (American Field Service International Scholarship Exchange Students). He lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with the Werrbach family and attended Whitefish Bay High School. This experience during his 12th grade was transformative; he credited his American literature teacher, Miss Clara Czarkowski, with opening his eyes to U.S. literature, as she guided him through its rich landscape.
As a distinguished poet, Ismail received two invitations to serve as a poet-in-residence at the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa during 1971-1972 and 1991-1992. He took advantage of his time there by translating approximately 546 poems from 160 poets, including contributions from both anonymous Native American writers and African American songs. This translation effort culminated in an 893-page document titled “Report on Translation Project, USA Poetry.” However, the translations were never published due to copyright clearance challenges. Instead, the material was privately distributed to schools, campuses, and public libraries.
Taufiq Ismail’s translations represent a significant body of work, surpassing previous efforts by Indonesian translators such as Chairil Anwar and Sapardi Djoko Damono. His selection of authors includes well-known figures in American literature, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, W.H. Auden, T.S. Eliot, and Emily Dickinson, alongside lesser-known poets like Mei-Mei Berssenbrugge and Yusef Komunyakaa. This choice provides a unique perspective from an Indonesian viewpoint and highlights Ismail's intention to broaden literary appreciation.
Notably, Ismail's translations feature not only celebrated works but also less prominent pieces, including those by Khalil Gibran, which are rarely included in American literature anthologies. Overall, Taufiq Ismail's work as a translator underscores his role as a cultural bridge between Indonesia and the United States and reflects his dedication to promoting humanitarian values through literature.