A Translator's Odyssey: Beowulf in Czech by Šárka Gongolová

Dive into our interview with Šárka Gongolová, the translator of the new gamebook Beowulf: Beast Slayer by Jonathan Green. This unforgettable interactive story, inspired by the classic Anglo-Saxon poem, lets readers become the heroes of their own adventure.

We asked Šárka 10 curious questions to guide us through the fascinating world of translation, reveal the challenges she faced, and share her experiences and joys while working on this unique project. If you're interested in how such a gamebook is created and what its translation entails, read on!

Jonathan Green is an experienced author responsible for countless great gamebooks and isn't afraid to rework classics like Dracula. Translating Beowulf surely carries a certain weight. What were the biggest challenges in translating Beowulf?

The biggest challenge was definitely the language Jonathan Green uses in this work. I don't mean English as such, but the elements of Old English verse and Anglo-Saxon similes, which often gave me a hard time. An unforgettable part for me will certainly be translating those verses from runic script into Czech and then back into runes.

How did you handle the Anglo-Saxon terminology in the text?

At first, it was a real pain point, but over time I discovered that the meaning of some words stems from Nordic languages. The Beowulf epic itself (in both English and Czech) helped me a lot.

Did you have any previous experience with translating gamebooks or other interactive literature?

In the past, I spent some time translating subtitles for documentary series and science fiction articles. This was my first time seeing a gamebook from this perspective.

How did you try to preserve the atmosphere and style of the original work in the Czech translation?

I often rewrote a single paragraph twenty times before I was satisfied. Old English verses are very difficult to present in Czech. A huge support was the Czech translation of Beowulf by Mr. Čermák, which is an absolute gem and, most importantly, is supplemented with explanatory notes that helped me significantly.

What is your relationship with Anglo-Saxon literature? Do you have a favorite hero?

It probably won't be a surprise that it's Beowulf and his adventures that have etched themselves into my memory. My literature teacher and director of the Waldorf Lyceum I attended deserves credit for that. Thanks to him, we spent several weeks with Beowulf.

How did you try to preserve the interactive elements and decision-making moments in the Czech version?

When translating parts where these moments occurred, I first played through that passage myself and then tried to translate that experience into Czech.

What did you enjoy most about this project?

In the end, I enjoyed the most what was a big pain at the beginning: translating the poems and runes. And also the certain rawness with which the author tells the story.

What do you think is the key to a successful translation of interactive literature?

I'm still a newcomer in this field, but in my opinion, one of the most important mechanisms for translating such a book is consistency. Without it, the adventure wouldn't be cohesive, and I believe an attentive reader would notice. I took notes to ensure I translated recurring words, phrases, and verses the same way throughout the story, and in the end, I had five A4 pages filled with handwriting.

What is your opinion on the importance and popularity of gamebooks today?

The modern world is rushed and full of social media and technology. Gamebooks are a wonderful combination of role-playing and reading itself. I believe the popularity of gamebooks will rise just as the hunger for developing one's imagination grows.

What would you recommend to readers who are about to embark on an adventure with Beowulf?

Don't overlook the small details. Any poem or item can be an irreplaceable clue and help significantly on the path to a successfully completed adventure.

author Eva Lassler