• Anuradha Kodagoda shares the nuances of translating her latest work ‘Valentinege Sihinaya’

Literary translation is an art form – it requires a sophisticated mastery of tone and nuance, together with a sense of the direction in which a particular word choice will nudge a sentence, complete with a profound familiarity with the cultural context in which a given original is written and the ingenuity to make it come alive in another tongue. 

There is a sleight of hand inherent in all artistic translation, an ability to intuit how one author may write if they were to write in your language. 



This week, The Sunday Morning Brunch had a chat with Anuradha Kodagoda, who has recently published her latest book, ‘Valentinege Sihinaya,’ a Sinhala language translation of the Russian novel ‘Adventures on Captains’ Island’ by Sofia Prokofieva. Anuradha shared with us her passion for translation, about ‘Valentinege Sihinaya,’ and the beauty of literature from around the world. 

Anuradha is currently a Deputy Features Editor at a State newspaper and has a decade of experience as a journalist specialising in art and culture. Despite an educational background in marketing, she shared that she made a deliberate career shift from the corporate world to follow her passion for writing and journalism. “My love for writing propelled me on this fulfilling path,” she said.

While ‘Valentinege Sihinaya’ is her most recent work, she has numerous past published works, having published her first translation in 2016, a short story titled ‘Just Ring Up and Come’ (‘Thaththa Wage Kenek’) by a Russian author, which was published by Kurulu Publishers. 

However, Anuradha shared that her love of art and culture was not limited to the written word as she also ventured into filmmaking, having written and directed a short film called ‘Devi’ as part of her final project for the Higher National Diploma in Filmmaking at the National Film Corporation. 

She noted that this film garnered recognition with a nomination for the ‘Most Gender Sensitive’ award at the 2013 Agenda 14 film festival and it received positive reception at the Jaffna International Cinema Festival and the European Film Festival in the same year, further fuelling Anuradha’s passion for storytelling through various artistic mediums.

‘Valentinege Sihinaya’

 “From an early age, I developed a profound love for reading, inspired by my father’s extensive library. Growing up, my brother and I sought refuge in the enchanting world of books, immersing ourselves in captivating tales and acquiring knowledge,” said Anuradha, adding that throughout her career she had embarked on numerous creative endeavours. “I have conceived and executed various art projects, as well as organised and hosted engaging book reading sessions.”

She noted that the most noteworthy among these many projects was ‘Akurumanpetha,’ a literary event held at Sarasavi Bookshop in Nugegoda in 2009. Additionally, she also curated ‘Talking Library’ sessions at Sooriya Village in 2017, where esteemed Sri Lankan authors took part in discussions. She shared that these sessions were met with enthusiasm by book lovers and generated vibrant interactions among the audience.

It is evident that Anuradha’s journey has been defined by a passion for storytelling, a commitment to artistic exploration, and a dedication to promoting the literary and cultural landscape. She continues to embark on new adventures, driven by a desire to create meaningful connections and share the wonders of art and literature with others. 

Which brings us to her work on ‘Valentinege Sihinaya’. Anuradha shared that she read ‘The Adventures on Captains’ Island’ many years ago and that it captivated her with its “boundless imagination”. 

She shared how Russian literature, although viewed critically by her generation, held a special fascination for her as she grew up. 

About the story itself, she said: “There are several reasons why I loved this story. Firstly, the sheer level of imagination displayed in the book was unlike anything I had encountered before. Additionally, the author’s ability to provide clear and vivid descriptions of each character added to the story’s allure.”

‘The Adventures on Captains’ Island’ is a simple story about good and evil, but it holds deeper meanings in multiple subtexts, said Anuradha, sharing that “among the majority of male characters, I was particularly intrigued by Gina, the only female character. She played an anonymous, mysterious, and villainous role, while the male characters represented the traditional, heroic ideals. However, it is important to note that my appreciation for Gina’s character does not imply a rejection of patriarchal norms, but I believe in revising them. I think society becomes more chaotic when we stray from fundamental moral values.”

She added: “This captivating tale revolves around the rivalry between good and bad. The characters representing the good are defined by specific shapes, tasks, and directions in life. On the other hand, the bad characters are closely tied to imagination, and their destiny remains entirely uncertain. I find it incredibly fascinating how the author has crafted such an imaginative concept for their journey. This is one of the many reasons why I adore this story.”

Anuradha said that she purposely chose the title ‘Valentinege Sihinaya’ for the Sinhala translation of the book, as she believed it captured the essence of Valentine’s imaginative journey. 

She noted how the story primarily focuses on Valentine’s desire to embody courage and moral goodness. However, Gina, a character who consistently introduces evil elements, becomes a source of disruption in Valentine’s dream. This underlying theme explores the ongoing conflict between men and women, lending a mature perspective to the narrative.

She also spoke in particular about her contemporary approach for the book cover. She noted how she conceived the idea of a collage to capture the multi-layered essence of the book’s content and enlisted the collaboration of Sangeeth Madurawala, a talented emerging artist. 

“Sangeeth’s artistic prowess resulted in a stunning artwork that beautifully captures the abstract nature of our dreams. I am immensely grateful for his invaluable contribution,” said Anuradha. 

‘Valentinege Sihinaya’ is now available for purchase at Sarasavi Bookshops islandwide.

Translation as an art 

Anuradha shared that when translating, it was crucial to grasp the cultural nuances of the original language and to be mindful of how certain terms could convey different ideas in various contexts.

“It is also essential to capture the mood of the writing. For instance, an author may employ humour in a highly political story. If a translator focuses solely on the serious political aspects and neglects the original author’s humorous tone, the essence of the story may be lost.”

Speaking specifically about the nuances of translating from English to Sinhala, she said: “Translating from English to Sinhala presents particular challenges, as Sinhala often requires a greater number of words to express a concept compared to English. Therefore, a comprehensive vocabulary in both English and Sinhala is essential for effective translation.”

Translation is an intricate process, said Anuradha, noting how it involves more than simply converting words from one language to another. It requires a deep understanding of both the source language and the target language, as well as a keen awareness of cultural nuances and context.

She said that in non-fiction, first and foremost, accuracy was paramount. Translators must strive to convey the author’s intended meaning faithfully, ensuring that factual information is correctly rendered without any distortion. Additionally, clarity is essential in non-fiction translation. The aim is to present complex concepts or ideas in a manner that is accessible and understandable to the target audience. Translators must find the right balance between linguistic precision and readability, ensuring that the content remains engaging and informative.

Moreover, cultural considerations play a significant role in non-fiction translation, she said, noting how concepts, references, and examples may differ across cultures, and how it is the translator’s responsibility to bridge these gaps. Adapting cultural references, providing explanatory notes when necessary, and making the text relatable to the target readership are all important strategies for effective translation. 

“I hold a deep appreciation for the significance of language accessibility and the availability of content and art in every language,” said Anuradha, adding: “Language accessibility ensures that individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds can fully engage with and comprehend a wide range of content, including literature, films, music, and other forms of artistic expression.”

She said that by breaking down language barriers, we open up a world of knowledge, ideas, and cultural experiences to a wider audience. Each language carries unique nuances, expressions, and ways of thinking that deserve to be preserved and celebrated. She noted that by making content and art available in every language, we honour linguistic diversity and promote inclusivity, fostering a sense of belonging for individuals who may otherwise feel excluded.