Given that the invite was to play for the Cambridge Society of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and that, owing to business commitments, Rob was on the other side of the world, it was more than a little daunting to contemplate playing some of our translated songs, solo, to some for the best interpreters and translators currently working in the UK!
However, as with most things in life, the fear is entirely in one’s own head. A nicer, more welcoming and receptive pride of lions would be hard to find. The event at Darwin College Cambridge proceeded from an extremely interesting lecture by a professor of linguistics at City University, through a buffet lunch, and then I played for around 45 minutes of na-mara material.
I half expected many of those attending to disappear after the food, but around two-thirds stayed on and were extremely attentive to and appreciative of my set. Naturally, missing him immensely, I had to make some new arrangements to cover for the fact that Rob couldn’t be there (and, of course, throughout, I could hear Rob playing in my head but, of course the audience could not) but everything seemed to work out well. I just have to unlearn my bespoke arrangements now, for when Rob returns!
I was invited to speak a little about the issues of translation for the na-mara project and, as written about earlier in this blog trail, I touched on the issues of not only to translate the words but then to catch the meter and the rhyme, and to stay true to the nature and flow of the narrative. The audience seemed both understanding and supportive of the project, which was a great boost.
Thanks to Les Ray who we know from the Cambridge Folk Club for the invitation and, it seems like the local branch of the Chartered Institute might be planning a collective night out in mid-January 2011 to come along and see the full act at the Cambridge Folk Club. It would be lovely to see everyone again!