Autograph letter and signed portrait, Evelyn Waugh to Jean Dauven, his French translator
Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: Autograph letter and signed portrait, Evelyn Waugh to Jean Dauven, his French translator
Classmark: Elliott Collection MS Waugh/17
Creator(s): Waugh, Evelyn (1903-1966)
Date(s): 25 Dec 1946
Size and medium: 2 items
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/638808
Collection group(s): English Literature
Description
An autograph letter about the translation of Vile Bodies. The letter is addressed to Jean Dauven, who translated the novel into French. Dauven had written to Waugh on 18th December 1946, and Waugh replied one week later on Christmas Day. Dauven's translation, Ces Corps vils, was published in 1947.
The first part of this detailed letter deals with some of the difficulties of translating in-jokes and idioms from the original into French. For example, Waugh writes 'chubb fuddler was chosen as a comic trade. Any French equivalent would serve. He is, in fact, the man who makes it his life's work to intoxicate fish so that, when it is necessary to drain the fish pond, they can be moved without injury'.
Waugh goes on to give a brief autobiography, describing his education, war service, previous publications and family life.
The letter mentions a reproduction of a portrait of Waugh which is also included in the file. The portrait is inscribed 'Now aged 43 and much altered for the worse. E.W.'
Provenance
The letter was offered for sale by Peter Harrington Booksellers in December 2017. Special Collections acquired the letter with support from Friends of the National Libraries in July 2018.
Access and usage
Access
Access to this material is unrestricted.