Translator Talks to Homer, Nietzsche, Aristophanes in Order to Get it Just Right

Exclusive new interview with Canadian translator Ian Johnston reveals how he consults with ancient authors to get the message in his translations just right. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) August 31, 2011 - Arlington, Virginia and Nanaimo, British Columbia - Richer Resources Publications is proud to announce the release of an exclusive new interview with Canadian translator Ian Johnston. As popular as his translations have become, he still consults the original authors for guidance in his work, and this process is what he discusses in this newest interview. Though his writing partners are much better known than he ever will be, there is no argument with the enormous response the modern reader has had with his work.. Homer, Aristophanes, Kant, Sophocles, Kafka, Euripides, Nietzsche, Rousseau, Marx and Aristotle are just a few of the many authors, from four languages, in some fifty publications and audio books, translated by British Columbia's Ian Johnston. The interview can be found on youtube as well as imbedded into the classics section of the publisher's website

Ian Johnston, a retired professor of classics from British Columbia, has made numerous older works far more accessible to the average reader by translating into a more modern English, while still remaining true to the original telling. His work has become extremely popular as a grass roots movement.

Johnston's readers are not just academics, but common, everyday readers. With over 14 million page views to his personal site in the last few years, Professor Johnston's work is considered invaluable by a multitude of individuals from students to educators and classics lovers, as well as the casual reader who has always wanted to read these magnificent works of epic literature, but until now felt shut out by archaic terminology and outmoded style. Preferring instead to translate into a more modern English, Professor Johnston's works are imminently accessible, while at the same time retaining the cadence, clarity and spirit of the original works. Increasingly becoming the translations of choice for students, educators and general readers, these works are popular across a wide range of readers.

First presented to the world on NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday Classics Commentary in early 2007, his legacy is continuing to grow. So popular was that particular spot that it very nearly took both of Homer's new translations to the top of Amazon's best seller list. For an author 3000 years dead, that shows broad interest on the part of the general reader.

Professor Johnston has translated works from Greek, German, French and Latin - nearly 50 in all and has been hailed as one of the world's most prolific translators. With 25 titles released in the last 5 years and the large work of Ovid due out this year, plus a dozen more in the coming year, Professor Johnston is one of the most published translators of all time.

"Students reading these translations will have no doubt of the passion and issues raised by the plays," commented Princeton professor Emerita Elaine Fantham. The translations have been used in numerous dramatic performances around the world, including at Oxford and in Philadelphia. "I find his work powerful and direct and I value his translations because they are so immediate."

Naxos Audiobooks continues to use Ian's works in translation for their new classic audio titles, most recently adding his translations of Aristotle and Lucretius to their line. Richer Resources Publications has plans to release all of Professor Johnston's works over the next 24 months.

A more complete biography of Professor Johnston can be provided upon request. The Professor is available for additional interviews from his home in British Columbia. An interview can be set up via his publisher by return email.

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